Ralf Schumacher discusses why Lewis Hamilton could face challenges in meeting his Ferrari contract terms
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Seven-time Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton is preparing to close the chapter on his highly successful career with Mercedes as he transitions into a new phase with Ferrari.
Ending one of the most prosperous partnerships in Formula 1 history was no easy choice for the 39-year-old driver. During his time with Mercedes, Lewis Hamilton claimed six Drivers’ Championships and helped the team secure eight Constructors’ titles, solidifying their dominance in the sport. However, with the latest generation of cars, the balance of power shifted in favor of Max Verstappen and Red Bull, and more recently, McLaren has risen to challenge them.
Despite this shift, team principal Toto Wolff only offered Lewis Hamilton a contract with a break clause, which ultimately paved the way for Lewis Hamilton's move to Ferrari in 2025 when the opportunity arose. Yet, 2024 has been one of the most challenging seasons of Lewis Hamilton's illustrious career, as he finishes outside the top six in the championship standings for the first time.
Lewis Hamilton has signed a lucrative deal with the Maranello team, initially set to run until the conclusion of the 2026 Formula 1 campaign. Both sides hold the option to extend the contract, giving Hamilton the chance to evaluate the performance of Ferrari's next-generation car in 2026 and assess his chances of securing additional world titles.
In a conversation with Sport1, Ralf Schumacher discussed why he believes the British driver may not even complete his contract at Ferrari, suggesting there is a real possibility that the Brit could leave earlier than expected. When asked about the possibility of Lewis Hamilton not completing the first two years of his contract, the former Formula 1 driver responded: "The danger is there if everything goes negatively. I think that if Lewis realises that he is no longer living up to his own expectations, he will say so."
Peter Windsor is uncertain whether Ferrari fully considered all possible outcomes when they signed Hamilton, but he believes the benefits far outweigh any potential risks.
Lewis Hamilton, when completely focused and in the right car, is an incredibly tough competitor to beat—a fact that early indications suggest he may experience when he joins Ferrari at Maranello.
Team principal Frederic Vasseur will be satisfied with the progress Ferrari made in 2024, though he is well aware that there is still untapped potential the team can explore as they head into the next season.
Ralf Schumacher, having firsthand experience with Ferrari’s inner workings, is well-versed in how the Italian press can treat the team's drivers.
He witnessed how his brother Michael was handled by the media during the challenging early years with Ferrari, particularly how the press reacted to both Michael's teammates and his own success when he went on to win five consecutive championships with the Scuderia. When asked how long Hamilton would receive favorable treatment from the Italian media, the German responded: "The expectations are high, and so are the emotions. You won't have patience for more than six months if things aren't going well. He's not used to the pressure from outside. In Italy, the clocks tick a little differently. Even in Michael's time, they wanted to fire Jean Todt when the successes took too long. Michael prevented that and it ended up being a happy ending. Unfortunately, I doubt that will happen with Lewis. But maybe he'll be lucky and the car will suit him. Then everything could turn out very well. But I have my doubts." – he explained.
The British driver is eager to experience his first outing in a Ferrari, but was unable to do so during the post-season testing. Instead, his initial opportunity to get a feel for life with the Maranello team will likely come during a TPC (Testing of Previous Cars) session at the Fiorano circuit, which is scheduled before the official pre-season testing begins.
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