Lewis Hamilton is not experiencing an easy first season with Ferrari, but according to Francesco Cigarini—one of the team’s historic figures during Michael Schumacher’s golden era—the seven-time world champion is exactly the kind of leader Maranello needs to build a new winning cycle. Francesco Cigarini, who worked inside the Scuderia during the dominant years from 1999 to 2005, sent a very clear warning: “With Lewis, it is possible to recreate what we built with Michael, but only if the team truly gives weight to his guidance.”
Speaking to Fanpage.it, the former Maranello team member explained that Ferrari is now facing a crucial technical and cultural crossroads. “Schumacher brought complete trust; the bond between driver and team was built on shared responsibility. If we lost, we lost together.” In his view, that model could be replicated with Hamilton—provided that Ferrari avoids falling into a “vicious circle” where his technical contribution is undervalued simply because Charles Leclerc is currently achieving better results.
Charles Leclerc has already collected seven podiums in 2025 and holds a 66-point advantage over his Maranello teammate. However, Francesco Cigarini urged Ferrari not to look only at the stopwatch. “Hamilton brings knowledge and the organisational culture typical of British teams. If he suggests something and he is ignored because ‘Leclerc is faster,’ then the driver will no longer feel part of the technical process.” According to him, this would hurt not just Hamilton but the development of the entire team.
Francesco Cigarini added: “Leclerc is extremely fast and used to driving at the limit. Hamilton is very strong but needs a more solid car. If you listen to him, you can improve in the long term.” The comparison with Schumacher surfaced repeatedly: “Even with Michael, patience was needed. At the beginning the wins did not arrive, but the trust was absolute, and eventually the results came.” This is why Francesco Cigarini is firm in his stance: “I would give Lewis full confidence, even if today the stopwatch doesn’t favour him. And Charles Leclerc would benefit from it too.”
At this stage of his career, Lewis Hamilton is running out of opportunities to prove that his peak has not passed. He comes from difficult seasons at Mercedes, often beaten by George Russell, and he now finds himself behind a Charles Leclerc in excellent form. Yet this moment could still become an opportunity for Ferrari. Lewis Hamilton could play a decisive role in building the car for the new regulatory cycle arriving next season.
If that happens, Charles Leclerc could benefit from a more solid and competitive Ferrari, and Lewis Hamilton could leave a lasting legacy at the Scuderia—even without becoming world champion in red. “He knows how to build a dominant team,” Francesco Cigarini recalled. And that, perhaps, is the most important weapon the British driver can offer Ferrari today.
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