'The problem is that Hamilton is simply not fast enough compared to Leclerc'
Photo: Scuderia Ferrari Media
Tobia is a Formula 1 journalist at GPblog with experience at international circuits. Since 2022, he has covered Grands Prix across Europe, delivering reliable coverage and insights from the paddock.
Ralf Schumacher has delivered a harsh assessment of Lewis Hamilton's performances at Ferrari, suggesting that the seven-time world champion is responsible for the ongoing debate over the team's driver hierarchy. The German also questioned whether either Hamilton or Charles Leclerc remains capable of winning a Formula 1 world championship.
Tensions between the Ferrari teammates have increased in recent weeks, particularly following their on-track battle at the Mexican Grand Prix, which damaged the Scuderia's hopes of securing victory.
Hamilton subsequently expressed frustration over the absence of clear rules of engagement between the two drivers, prompting discussions within the team ahead of the Brazilian Grand Prix.
Although Hamilton currently holds a 12-point advantage over Leclerc in the Drivers' Championship, the Monegasque has finished ahead of his teammate in eight of the last 12 races.
Speaking to Sky Sports Germany, Schumacher argued that Hamilton's inability to consistently outperform Leclerc is at the heart of the situation: "The problem is that he is simply not fast enough compared to Leclerc. If he were clearly better than his team-mate, like my brother was back then, this discussion wouldn’t even exist. He is the one causing it."
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Photo: Race Pictures
Schumacher tells Hamilton how to settle Ferrari debate
The former Williams and Toyota driver believes Hamilton has a straightforward way of establishing himself as Ferrari's leading driver: consistently beating Leclerc on track.
Schumacher referred to the example of his brother Michael, whose performances during his time at Ferrari left little room for debate over his position within the team.
"Always make sure you’re ahead. Be a second or half a second faster than Leclerc. Win every race or at least finish ahead of him. It’s that simple."
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Schumacher raises doubts over both Ferrari drivers
The German also questioned Hamilton's current level of performance by comparing his time alongside George Russell at Mercedes with the latter's results against Kimi Antonelli.
With Antonelli having already secured the championship, Schumacher suggested that those comparisons raise broader questions about the competitive level of Ferrari's current line-up.
"I’m no longer sure who is stronger at what level. Seeing how Hamilton compares to Russell, and how Russell compares to Antonelli, you have to wonder: how good is Hamilton really anymore? And conversely: how good is Leclerc? Are they both still world championship material?"
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Hamilton currently sits fourth in the Drivers' Championship with 261 points, one point behind his former Mercedes teammate Russell. Leclerc occupies fifth place with 249 points.
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