BREAKING NEWS: UNEXPECTED turn Lewis Hamilton sidelined in...

Lewis Hamilton sidelined in dream F1 driver duo debate after difficult Ferrari season

Lewis Hamilton may be a seven-time Formula 1 world champion, but his legendary status has not shielded him from growing scrutiny following a bruising 2025 campaign with Ferrari. The Briton, widely regarded as one of the greatest drivers in the sport’s history, has found himself unexpectedly sidelined in a recent debate over Formula 1’s ultimate driver pairing a conversation in which his name would once have been considered untouchable.

Hamilton’s first season in Ferrari red was meant to be a triumphant late-career chapter, blending the most successful driver in F1 history with its most iconic team. Instead, 2025 proved to be one of the most challenging years of his career. For the first time since his debut season in 2007, Hamilton failed to secure a single podium finish across an entire championship campaign. Even more striking was the fact that he was consistently outperformed by team-mate Charles Leclerc, who extracted greater performance from the same machinery and finished ahead of Hamilton in the majority of races.

While Ferrari showed flashes of competitiveness, particularly during the European rounds, Hamilton struggled to find the consistency and edge that once defined his dominance. There were respectable results including several fourth-place finishes but they were offset by disqualifications, DNFs, and anonymous midfield runs that highlighted how far the Scuderia remained from genuine title contention. The overall picture was a stark contrast to the expectations that surrounded Hamilton’s blockbuster move to Maranello.

At the same time, Max Verstappen’s 2025 season followed a very different narrative. Although Red Bull no longer enjoyed the overwhelming advantage of previous years, the Dutchman continued to deliver performances that reinforced his reputation as the sport’s most formidable current talent. Verstappen fought for the world championship in machinery widely viewed as sub-par compared to its rivals, dragging results from situations where others would have faded. His campaign was further elevated by his success outside Formula 1, most notably a stunning victory on his GT3 debut at the Nürburgring, underlining his adaptability and raw racing instinct.

Despite ultimately missing out on a fifth world title, Verstappen’s year earned widespread admiration across the paddock and among former drivers. That admiration was reflected in comments made by Ralf Schumacher during an appearance on Sky Sports F1 Germany’s ‘Backstage Pit Lane’ podcast. When asked to name his dream driver pairing, Schumacher selected his brother Michael Schumacher and Max Verstappen — notably excluding Hamilton from the conversation.

“My brother and Max Verstappen. That would be very interesting,” Schumacher said. He went on to explain that both drivers shared an ability to perform under intense pressure, consistently outperform their team-mates, and elevate entire teams through sheer force of talent. In Schumacher’s view, these qualities set Michael Schumacher and Verstappen apart as the two most complete drivers he has witnessed during his lifetime in the sport, leaving Hamilton behind them in terms of pure skill.

The comments have sparked debate not because they erase Hamilton’s legacy — which remains monumental — but because they reflect the unforgiving nature of Formula 1. The sport is relentlessly focused on the present, and Hamilton’s 2025 struggles have inevitably influenced how he is perceived in current comparisons. For critics, being outclassed by Leclerc in the same car raises questions about whether Hamilton is now past his absolute peak. Supporters, however, argue that Ferrari’s technical limitations and the challenge of adapting to a new environment played a decisive role in his underwhelming results.

Hamilton’s full Ferrari race record from the 2025 season illustrates the mixed nature of his campaign:

Grand Prix Position

Australia 10

China DSQ

Japan 7

Bahrain 5

Saudi Arabia 7

Miami 8

Emilia Romagna 4

Monaco 5

Spain 6

Canada 6

Austria 4

Great Britain 4

Belgium 7

Hungary 12

Netherlands DNF

Italy 6

Azerbaijan 8

Singapore 8

United States 4

Mexico 8

Brazil DNF

Las Vegas 8

Qatar 12

Abu Dhabi 8

Ultimately, Schumacher’s dream pairing of Michael Schumacher and Max Verstappen is less a dismissal of Hamilton’s achievements and more a reflection of Formula 1’s shifting landscape. Legends are celebrated for what they have done, but reputations are constantly reshaped by current performance. Whether Hamilton can respond with a resurgence in 2026 and force his way back into conversations about the sport’s ultimate elite remains one of the most compelling storylines heading into the next chapter of his remarkable career.

About The Author

Hugo Harvey

Hugo Harvey is a distinguished journalist, blogger, and publisher with a dynamic career that spans multiple areas of interest, from sports to entertainment. With a sharp eye for detail and a passion for storytelling, Hugo has developed a reputation for delivering insightful and engaging content to his audience. His diverse interests make him a versatile writer, able to cover a wide range of topics with depth and clarity.

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