Just In: Ralf Schumacher launches fresh ATTACK on Hamilton over…read more
Ralf Schumacher launches fresh ATTACK on Hamilton over…read more
Ralf Schumacher has criticized Lewis Hamilton’s ability to lead a team and contribute to car development, suggesting that the British driver lacks the qualities Michael Schumacher demonstrated during his time at Ferrari. Ralf, the brother of the seven-time World Champion, claims that Hamilton will struggle to replicate his fellow German’s success at Ferrari, where he helped the team achieve unparalleled dominance in the early 2000s.
Hamilton is set to join Ferrari in 2025 after announcing his multi-year contract with the Italian team earlier this year. While Hamilton is the most successful driver in Formula 1 history, with seven World Championships, over 100 race wins, and numerous pole positions, Ralf Schumacher believes his ability to develop a car is not on par with Michael’s. The elder Schumacher was known for his exceptional team-building skills, particularly during his years at Ferrari, where he worked closely with team principal Jean Todt and technical director Ross Brawn to create dominant cars suited to his driving style.
Ralf pointed out that Michael had a unique ability to provide engineers with clear guidance on car development, ensuring the car was tailored to his needs. In contrast, Hamilton has never shown that same level of influence in this area. Ralf noted that Mercedes boss Toto Wolff had often emphasized that a driver should focus on driving while engineers handle the development, suggesting that Hamilton has struggled to provide the necessary input for Mercedes’ car development.
Furthermore, Ralf highlighted the challenges Hamilton will face at Ferrari. Unlike Michael, who arrived at Ferrari as a current world champion and was much younger, Hamilton will be joining an already established team with Charles Leclerc as the undisputed leader. This, according to Ralf, makes Hamilton’s task even more difficult as everything will be new to him at Ferrari.
Ralf has also previously claimed that he does not consider Hamilton among the “exceptional world champions” capable of making a difference on track, alongside drivers like Max Verstappen. He compared Hamilton to Sebastian Vettel, stating that both drivers require a “perfect” car to perform at their best. While praising Verstappen for his impressive achievements, Ralf stated that Verstappen has the ability to rise above challenges, something he believes Hamilton lacks. According to Ralf, Verstappen’s success in 2024, despite difficulties within Red Bull, demonstrates his ability to make a significant impact, unlike Hamilton, who depends more on the right environment and car to perform.
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