Bleak future 'not ruled out' for 'fighter' Hamilton, with 'Ferrari to blame'
Lewis Hamilton during the press conference in Spa-Francorchamps
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Lewis Hamilton’s start at Ferrari has raised serious questions, with former F1 driver Christian Danner comparing the Briton’s struggles to Michael Schumacher’s fruitless Mercedes comeback.
After 14 races in red, Hamilton has fallen far short of expectations, prompting doubts over whether the partnership can ever work.
However, the former F1 driver believes the responsibility lies at Ferrari's doorstep.
“If a driver doesn’t get what he expects from the car, he can’t reach his potential," Danner said in an interview with Ran.
"Think of Michael Schumacher at Mercedes. There, too, the car simply wasn’t right.”
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Between 2010 and 2012, Schumacher managed just a single podium at Mercedes, a warning sign Danner sees reflected in Hamilton’s situation now at Ferrari.
Hamilton’s Ferrari future already under scrutiny
Danner believes Hamilton, who turns 41 next year, may be approaching a crucial career crossroads.
“I think Hamilton underestimated the challenge,” he said.
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“During the summer break, Hamilton has to decide for himself: does he follow the Ferrari path, as the team dictates?", Danner ponders.
"Or does he try to bend things so that they do what he wants? Both take energy and the outcome is open for each.”
While talk of retirement remains speculative, Danner did not rule it out entirely.
Hamilton has endured difficult weekends, including a Hungarian Grand Prix where he qualified and finished P12, describing himself as “useless” and pointing to “things in the background” at Ferrari that were “not so great.”
For the seven-time champion, the road ahead looks anything but straightforward.
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Recently Ferrari team boss also stated that Hamilton's emotionality made things worse, adding that his outbursts were more for the media than for the team itself.
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