Hamilton tipped to strike Monaco blow over Leclerc in Ferrari intra-team battle

The former Formula 1 driver has thrown his support behind the seven-time world champion in the battle with his Scuderia Ferrari teammate ahead of the race in the Principality. Speaking to Sky Deutschland, Schumacher suggested Hamilton currently looks to be in a stronger position than many might have expected at this stage.

Schumacher pointed to Hamilton’s overall demeanour during the Canadian Grand Prix weekend, contrasting it with that of Leclerc: “Now he feels good. First, he felt good on the track, and second, he felt good with the car. He just delivered, certainly in relation to Charles Leclerc,” he explained. “Charles Leclerc had been like that all weekend. You can see how fast it can go like that. He couldn't handle the car well, and Lewis did a perfect job.”

Schumacher also noted Hamilton’s visible sense of relief following his strong showing in Canada.

“He was also very happy, we could see that, as if he had won, he said. But he also earned it, because after Miami, of course, he was anything but happy. That is why I am happy for him,” he added.

However, the German also expressed some scepticism despite his praise of Hamilton’s performance. He questioned Ferrari’s overall finishing position in Canada, suggesting it may have been influenced by McLaren’s strategic tyre error.

“That weekend they weren't there, also because they just made the wrong (tyre) decision. That's why I'm not sure Ferrari and Lewis Hamilton would have finished second if both McLarens had been there,” he noted.

Despite his scepticism, Schumacher believes Hamilton would perform better in Monaco. The former driver turned pundit suggested Hamilton sees the race on the iconic streets of Monte Carlo as an opportunity for a statement performance against Leclerc.

“Even so, he sees Monaco as a major opportunity. He loves Monaco and the car loves Monaco. The only thing is that Charles Leclerc has always been very strong in Monaco so far. That's why I wonder which of the two will be in front. Traction and kerbstones, that's something the Ferrari is good at in Monaco. So at least they're going for the win,” he concluded.

Earlier, Hamilton himself also expressed confidence ahead of the race, suggesting Ferrari could be competitive if their power deficit is less decisive around the tight streets of Monaco. Speaking to media, including GPblog, after the Canadian Grand Prix, he said Ferrari are “in the fight” under the right conditions.

He explained: "I mean, that’s the one track where power is not king. I think it’s definitely about car performance. I think our car could be really strong there. I’m really going to focus on making sure I arrive with the same energy as I had this weekend, really study hard with the engineers to make sure we position the car in the right place from Practice 1.”

"If you take away the power deficit, we’re in the fight with these guys. But unfortunately, that’s not the way it is today. And I think in the moment I’m like, ‘I need more power somehow,’ because I’m able to hold on or keep up with them through the corners, and I can’t push the pedal any further. And you see them just eke out the straight, and you catch them back under braking, they eke it out on the straight. It’s really hard,” he concluded.

Last season at the race in Monte Carlo, Hamilton took the chequered flag in fifth place. The last time the seven-time champion returned to victory lane on the street circuit was during the 2019 campaign, when he claimed victory ahead of Sebastian Vettel and then Mercedes teammate Valtteri Bottas.