Ferrari F1 urged to drop Hamilton for 'cheaper' impressive rookie

20:01, 14 Nov

Updated: 20:15, 14 Nov

byNorberto Mujica

Ralf Schumacher claims Ferrari chairman John Elkann can no longer 'justify' Lewis Hamilton's tenure at the team, wondering if the Scuderia is contemplating his replacement with Haas F1 talent Oliver Bearman.

“And then I see a young Bearman working wonders with the Haas. He costs only a fraction of what Hamilton earns."

- Ralf Schumacher.

Photo: Race Pictures

In fact, Schumacher doesn't think Hamilton has been up to the task, with Bearman on the other hand, exceeding expectations.

"Besides the fact that he makes a lot of mistakes, his speed is just okay, but not better,” Schumacher said on the Backstage Boxengasse podcast.

“And then I see a young Bearman working wonders with the Haas. He costs only a fraction of what Hamilton earns.

“I don't know exactly how much, but people are talking high double digits, well over 60 million a year," Schumacher added.

Schumacher's words come after Ferrari chairman Elkann criticised his F1 drivers for not focusing on only driving the car.

Schumacher continued: “I believe Elkann can no longer justify that. It was his decision to go beyond the contract that was in place.”

“I wonder if Ferrari is saying, 'this has been like this for a year now, Hamilton has basically stood still',” he wondered.

Photo: Race Pictures

“'He did get a little closer, but we'd rather spend the money differently'.

"'We'd rather bring in Bearman: a young, fresh driver who drives the brand forward and who we can build something with toward the regulations of the future.

“That could happen, of course. I'm curious, it's exciting,” Schumacher concluded.

Steiner brands Elkann's words as bad leadership

Former F1 boss has found the public nature of the statement to be inapropriate, suggesting such matters were better dealt with behind closed doors. The Italian American also suggested the criticism of Charles Leclerc was missplaced, hinting at Hamilton's being justified, and wondering why team principal Frederic Vasseur's name didn't make the list. You can read Steiner's full statements here.

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