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Hamilton’s ‘different’ Ferrari pressure as footage of first Schumacher test emerges

Twelve months after announcing that he would be leaving his long-time team, Mercedes, to join Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton has embarked on his first few weeks as a Ferrari driver, quickly becoming the center of attention. His move has sparked comparisons to Michael Schumacher, as both drivers are legends of the sport, and Hamilton’s ultimate goal at Ferrari is to secure an eighth World Championship, breaking the record he currently shares with Schumacher.

The historical parallel between Hamilton’s arrival and Schumacher’s is striking. Nearly three decades apart, Schumacher’s initial test with Ferrari occurred in late 1995, prior to his official 1996 season with the team. At that time, he had just wrapped up his second World Championship with Benetton. Driving the Ferrari 412T2, Schumacher took to the team’s Fiorano circuit under misty conditions. A few hundred passionate Tifosi, Ferrari’s loyal fanbase, gathered at the track to witness the moment. Schumacher reflected on Ferrari’s long wait for a title, saying, “I know Ferrari has been waiting for 16 years,” and expressed his confidence in fulfilling that dream for the team. He added that it marked the beginning of a new chapter in Ferrari’s history and that he was eager to contribute to the team’s future success.

Fast forward to Hamilton’s arrival in 2024, and he followed in Schumacher’s footsteps by driving Ferrari’s SF-23 at the same Fiorano circuit. The spectacle of Hamilton’s debut also drew massive crowds of Ferrari supporters, eager to watch the start of a new era. Even in these early laps, comparisons between Hamilton and Schumacher were inevitable, particularly when reports indicated that Hamilton posted a lap time close to Schumacher’s previous best at the track, which was set with the F2004 car.

However, according to Piero Ferrari, the son of the iconic Enzo Ferrari and the current Vice President of the team, Hamilton’s introduction to Ferrari differs significantly from Schumacher’s. Ferrari acknowledged the immense pressure on Schumacher, who arrived at Ferrari as a two-time World Champion, while Hamilton comes to the team without the title of reigning World Champion, having finished his last season with Mercedes without winning. Piero Ferrari described Schumacher as somewhat reserved to the public but noted that he was very approachable and friendly with those who knew him closely, indicating that the early days of Schumacher at Ferrari were marked by high expectations and a more intense atmosphere.

Despite Hamilton’s lack of a recent World Championship, Ferrari’s expectations are still high. Piero Ferrari recognized Hamilton’s vast experience and his seven World Championships, which contribute to his exceptional ability to read races and handle pressure. “Lewis brings enormous experience to Ferrari, he is a professional at the highest level, he knows how to win races, and he has the right pressure to try,” Ferrari said, reinforcing the high hopes that the team has for Hamilton to lead them to future success and potentially secure that elusive eighth

title.