Hamilton’s mid-season AX threat revealed in…read more

Lewis Hamilton is set to make his long-awaited move to Ferrari in 2025 after a remarkable career with Mercedes. However, as the seven-time Formula One World Champion prepares to join the Scuderia,

a recent admission from former Formula One driver Ralf Schumacher has cast doubt on Hamilton’s future at Ferrari, suggesting he could face the prospect of a mid-season sack if his performances fail to live up to expectations. Hamilton’s final season with Mercedes in 2024 was an eventful one. Mercedes’ car of the year, the W15, was plagued with performance issues that often frustrated Hamilton, especially in his battles with teammate George Russell, who beat Hamilton in qualifying 19 times during the season. This has raised questions about Hamilton’s pace, particularly in one-lap races, and even the Briton himself has expressed doubts about his ability at times, especially after a disappointing performance at the Qatar Grand Prix.

Hamilton, 39, is facing increasing pressure in what is expected to be his farewell season with Mercedes before joining Ferrari, so his performance has come under scrutiny. His struggles in 2024 were exacerbated by performance issues with his car, drawing criticism from various quarters and his rivalry with Russell becoming the focus of the season. Despite his extraordinary career achievements, including a legendary title fight in Abu Dhabi in 2021, some are questioning Hamilton’s future, especially given his winless 2024. Hamilton is facing another challenge due to his move to Ferrari. He participates in the team when they are under pressure, and their expectations for success are very high. Ferrari has not won a drivers’ championship since 2007, and their last constructors’ title came in 2008. The team is desperate for success, and they are placing their hopes on Hamilton’s experience and skill to deliver a title challenge. However, former F1 driver Ralf Schumacher, speaking for Sport1, expressed concerns about Hamilton’s ability to handle the intense pressure of Ferrari, pointing out that Ferrari is an emotional team and the Italian team is known for being impatient when things go wrong. “Expectations are rising, emotions are running,” Schumacher said. “If things don’t go well, people won’t put up with it for more than six months.”

Schumacher’s comments highlight a key aspect of Ferrari’s culture, where drivers and team members are often under immense pressure to produce immediate results. Schumacher himself brought up the example of Michael Schumacher at Ferrari in the early 2000s, where the team eventually succeeded in winning several world championships, but key figures such as team principal Jean Todt were under immense pressure during some of the more difficult years to date. Schumacher suggested there may be little tolerance for failure if Hamilton struggles at Ferrari.

Firing Hamilton mid-season may seem extreme, but Schumacher’s words highlight the stringency of Ferrari’s expectations. In a team as passionate and successful as Ferrari, failure to meet performance targets can lead to a swift reaction. Schumacher warned that while Hamilton could benefit from a car potentially suited to his driving style, there was also the possibility that the pressure and expectations could overwhelm him, as they have for others in the past. Despite these concerns, Hamilton is not without his supporters. Many believe that his experience, his resilience and his talent could help him prosper in the Ferrari environment, just as he did in difficult seasons with Mercedes. The 2021 season in particular demonstrated his ability to fight for the championship despite all the adversity, even when the car wasn’t the best, and if Ferrari can provide him with a competitive car, Hamilton has every chance to return to championship form. However, the challenges facing Hamilton in Ferrari are important. He must quickly adapt to new teams, new cars, and new environments, but are under the intense spotlight of strict fans and Ferrari leadership. As Schumacher pointed out, time is not on Hamilton’s side, so the axe could fall soon if he fails to live up to expectations.

In conclusion, while Hamilton’s move to Ferrari is an exciting prospect, it also comes with potential pitfalls. The pressure to perform will be immense and if he does not perform well he could face an uncertain future with the Scuderia.