Ralf Schumacher, the former Formula 1 driver, has expressed doubts about Lewis Hamilton’s chances of winning the World Championship with Ferrari this year, describing the prospect as “very unrealistic.” While Schumacher acknowledges Hamilton’s exceptional talent, he believes that Hamilton’s recent move to Ferrari will hinder his ability to secure the title in the 2025 season. Instead, Schumacher argues that Charles Leclerc, who is already familiar with Ferrari’s setup, is in a better position to challenge for the championship.
Schumacher, who competed in Formula 1 between 1997 and 2007, winning six races during his career, made his views clear in an interview with the German news agency DPA. According to him, Hamilton’s ability is unquestionable, but the transition to a new team, especially one as complex and historically demanding as Ferrari, presents significant challenges. Schumacher pointed out that even for the most experienced drivers, switching teams often requires time to fully adjust to the new environment and car dynamics.
“When you join a new team, it takes at least six to eight months before you can use the whole environment perfectly for yourself and prove yourself in that environment, no matter what you do and how quickly you get comfortable. At least that was my experience,” Schumacher said. He explained that for any driver, especially one joining a team as high-profile as Ferrari, the period of adjustment is crucial. Despite Hamilton’s renowned adaptability and his ability to deliver top performances in various conditions, Schumacher feels that the time it will take for Hamilton to become fully integrated into Ferrari’s structure will make it difficult for him to mount a serious title challenge in the short term.
Schumacher’s comments come in the wake of Hamilton’s decision to leave Mercedes and join Ferrari for the 2025 season. While Hamilton’s career has been nothing short of spectacular—winning seven World Championships, with his most recent title coming in 2020—Schumacher believes that even with Ferrari’s potential to provide a competitive car, the chances of Hamilton achieving an eighth title this season are slim.
The former F1 driver emphasized that Ferrari’s internal dynamics and the pressure that comes with being part of the Italian team would take time for Hamilton to adjust to. Leclerc, on the other hand, has been with Ferrari for several years and has had the opportunity to understand the intricacies of the team’s operations and car setup. This familiarity, according to Schumacher, gives Leclerc an edge in terms of being able to extract the maximum performance from Ferrari’s machinery.
Schumacher also touched upon the fact that while Ferrari is certainly capable of producing a competitive car, the team’s historical challenges with consistency could also be a factor that hinders Hamilton’s pursuit of the championship. Ferrari has struggled in recent years to maintain a steady championship-winning form, often finding itself outpaced by other teams, particularly Mercedes and Red Bull. This unpredictability could further complicate Hamilton’s quest for success, even if he were to become acclimatized to Ferrari’s setup.
Despite these challenges, Schumacher does not doubt Hamilton’s ability to perform at the highest level. Hamilton’s talent has never been in question, and his impressive career speaks for itself. He has been consistently one of the top drivers in the sport, securing multiple championships and breaking numerous records. However, Schumacher believes that winning a title in his first year with Ferrari would be an extraordinary feat, requiring not only a fast car but also perfect alignment within the team, which is not something that happens quickly, even for a driver of Hamilton’s calibre.
In conclusion, while Hamilton’s move to Ferrari is one of the most exciting storylines for the upcoming season, Schumacher maintains that it is highly unlikely that the British driver will secure an eighth World Championship in 2025. With Leclerc’s familiarity and experience at Ferrari, Schumacher feels that the Monegasque driver is the more realistic candidate for title contention within the team. Hamilton’s immense talent will certainly shine through in time, but for now, it seems that the road to another championship will require more than just adjusting to a new team—it will need the perfect combination of car performance, team synergy, and timing, elements that Schumacher believes may take longer to come together than the 2025 season allows.
