Lewis Hamilton’s turbulent first season at Ferrari has come to a close, and former Formula 1 driver Ralf Schumacher believes it may also need to be his last. Hamilton’s high-profile move to the Scuderia before the start of the 2025 season initially generated enormous attention and expectation, but his debut year in red fell far short of the hype.
The highlight of Hamilton’s maiden Ferrari campaign was a Sprint race victory in China, yet the rest of the season proved challenging, with frequent struggles and inconsistent performances. Rumours of an early exit circulated throughout the year, raising questions about whether the seven-time world champion could truly adapt to Ferrari’s car and environment. Despite these challenges, Hamilton remains contracted with Ferrari until the end of 2026, with an option to extend through 2027.
Ralf Schumacher, however, has argued that there is no better moment than the present for Ferrari to consider moving on from Hamilton. The former F1 star has been a consistent critic of Hamilton throughout the season and has expressed doubts about the British driver’s ability to deliver results in Maranello. Schumacher suggested that Ferrari cannot afford to rely on a single competitive driver next season, with Charles Leclerc being the only guaranteed frontrunner on the grid.
Schumacher highlighted Hamilton’s struggles in adapting the car, explaining that the seven-time world champion appears to search desperately for the driving feel that brought him success in the past. According to Schumacher, Hamilton often attempts to completely rebuild the car to suit his style, demanding adjustments that are unrealistic and incompatible with the current demands of Formula 1. Schumacher added that Hamilton’s limited use of the simulator puts him at a disadvantage in a sport where modern F1 teams rely heavily on data and preparation before each race weekend.
Ralf Schumacher stressed that Hamilton’s inability to adapt places Ferrari in a difficult position, as the team needs a second competitive driver alongside Leclerc to continue developing the car effectively. Without a capable teammate, Schumacher believes Ferrari will struggle to produce a car that works for both drivers, leaving the team at risk of falling behind its rivals.
Throughout the 2025 season, Hamilton’s difficulties in Maranello were evident to all, and Schumacher did not hesitate to voice his criticism. He argued that Hamilton’s driving style is fundamentally incompatible with Ferrari’s car, meaning that the British driver is unlikely to contend for a championship with the team. Hamilton’s motivation for switching from Mercedes to Ferrari had been to secure a place as a unique figure in Formula 1 history, aiming to become the sport’s first eight-time world champion.
Despite these ambitions, Ralf Schumacher remains unconvinced of Hamilton’s ability to achieve such goals with Ferrari. He suggested that the moment for Hamilton to consider retirement may have already passed, drawing parallels with his own career. Schumacher recalled retiring immediately when he realised he could no longer compete effectively against his teammate, implying that Hamilton may face a similar reality if he continues with the Scuderia.
Ultimately, Ralf Schumacher’s assessment paints a stark picture for Ferrari and Hamilton, emphasising the urgent need for a rethink in the team’s driver strategy if they want to remain competitive in the upcoming Formula 1 seasons.
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