Ralf Schumacher, a former Formula 1 driver and brother of the legendary Michael Schumacher, has expressed skepticism about Lewis Hamilton’s chances of winning the F1 Drivers’ Championship in his debut season with Ferrari in 2025. Speaking to the German news agency DPA on March 3, 2025, Ralf described the prospect as “very unrealistic,” citing the challenges Hamilton will face adapting to a new team after over a decade with Mercedes.
Lewis Hamilton, who turns 40 in January 2025, has secured seven world titles—tying Michael Schumacher’s record—six of them with Mercedes, where he also became the first driver to surpass 100 race wins and pole positions.
Ralf’s reasoning hinges on the adjustment period Hamilton will need at Ferrari. “When you join a new team, it takes at least six to eight months before you can really utilize the whole environment perfectly for yourself and get to know each other—no matter how quickly you feel comfortable,” he said, drawing from his own experience across six F1 teams from 1997 to 2007.
He suggested that this transition could give Ferrari’s incumbent driver, Charles Leclerc, an edge, stating, “Somehow I have the feeling that Charles Leclerc will manage it if either of the Ferraris do.” Leclerc, Ferrari’s lead driver since 2019, has yet to win a title but is seen as well-integrated into the team’s dynamics.
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Hamilton’s move to Ferrari, announced in February 2024, marks a seismic shift in F1. After a storied tenure with Mercedes (2013–2024), where he last won a title in 2020, Hamilton seeks an eighth championship to break the record he shares with Michael Schumacher, who won five of his seven titles with Ferrari (2000–2004). Ferrari, however, hasn’t claimed a Drivers’ Championship since Kimi Ra?ikko?nen’s 2007 triumph or a Constructors’ title since 2008, despite recent competitiveness under team principal Fred Vasseur.
In 2024, Ferrari finished second in the Constructors’ standings, buoyed by Leclerc’s wins in Monaco and Monza, and Carlos Sainz’s victories in Australia and Mexico, yet they trailed the dominant Red Bull team led by Max Verstappen, who has won the last four drivers’ titles (2021–2024).
Ralf’s doubts align with broader questions about Hamilton’s age and form. Also in 2024, Hamilton won at Silverstone and Spa but was outqualified 19-5 by Mercedes teammate George Russell, prompting Hamilton to remark in Qatar that he’s “not fast anymore”—a comment some interpreted as frustration rather than a literal self-assessment.
Critics like Ralf have previously argued Hamilton lacks the exceptional adaptability of drivers like Verstappen, instead requiring a “perfect” car, as he told Sky Germany in 2024. Yet Hamilton’s supporters point to his meticulous preparation and hunger, evidenced by his early 2025 immersion at Ferrari, including factory visits and learning Italian to integrate with the team.
Ferrari’s 2025 prospects depend on their car, Project 677, developed under new chassis technical director Loi?c Serra (ex-Mercedes) after Enrico Cardile’s departure to Aston Martin. The team retains its unique pullrod rear suspension, a design choice linked to strong tire management, though it’s unclear if it can close the gap to Red Bull. Ralf’s skepticism contrasts with optimism from others, like former driver Johnny Herbert, who told talkSPORT in February 2025 that Hamilton’s Schumacher-like ability to galvanize a team could lead to “title delight” if Ferrari delivers a competitive package.
Historically, Michael Schumacher took three seasons (1996–1999) to win his first title with Ferrari, arriving as a double world champion at 27, younger and with less mileage than Hamilton now. Whether Hamilton defies Ralf’s prediction hinges on his adaptation speed, Leclerc’s performance, and Ferrari’s ability to challenge Red Bull in a tightly contested field. For now, Ralf sees the odds stacked against an immediate 2025 triumph.