“Lewis Hamilton Faces Six-Month Ferrari Deadline to Prove Himself, Warns Ralf Schumacher”….read more
Lewis Hamilton has been given a “six-month” ultimatum to prove himself at Ferrari, according to former Formula 1 driver Ralf Schumacher. The seven-time world champion’s highly anticipated move to Ferrari was met with much excitement, with a grand Maranello debut and a live event in Milan drawing thousands of fans eager to see Hamilton in red. The pressure is on for Hamilton, as Ferrari looks to return to its glory days in Formula 1, with their last drivers’ title dating back to 2007 when Kimi Raikkonen took the championship.
Hamilton, now 40, has spoken positively about his new chapter with Ferrari, expressing renewed optimism after pre-season testing and even hinting at the possibility of racing into his 50s. Many see Ferrari as the perfect place for Hamilton to chase a fairytale ending to his career, potentially securing a record-breaking eighth world title with the iconic team. He is also reunited with team boss Fred Vasseur, who played a key role in Hamilton’s early career during their time in GP2 (now F2).
However, Ralf Schumacher remains skeptical about the situation. While the Italian media initially welcomed Hamilton with open arms, he warns that the situation could change quickly if Hamilton does not perform within the first six months at Ferrari. Schumacher pointed out that, unlike Michael Schumacher, Hamilton is now in the latter stages of his career. He believes that age is becoming more evident, especially in qualifying, where performance often declines as time goes on. According to Schumacher, the next six months will be crucial in determining Hamilton’s success at Ferrari. The passionate Italian media, known for their emotional reactions, could quickly turn on Hamilton if results do not meet expectations.
Schumacher emphasized that if Hamilton doesn’t deliver results in this critical timeframe, the initial euphoria surrounding his arrival could swiftly turn into harsh criticism. He believes that the Italian press will not extend any further grace period beyond the first six months, as they expect Ferrari to return to winning ways.
In summary, while Hamilton’s move to Ferrari is seen as an exciting opportunity for both the driver and the team, the pressure is on for him to deliver quickly or risk facing the wrath of the Italian media.
