Other difficulties
The 3rd place achieved by China, equivalent to his first podium with Ferrari, seemed to be the message of a better feeling with the car for Lewis Hamilton after an absolutely forgettable 2025. However, the last two races in Suzuka and Miami recorded a drop in performance from the seven-time world champion, who also stated that he encountered problems with the simulator. The real headaches, according to a former Formula 1 driver like Ralf Schumacher, would be different.
The replacement with another Englishman
According to the German, who appeared on the Backstage Boxengasse podcast, it would be time for Hamilton to retire from F1, with the seat left free at Ferrari possibly being occupied by a driver raised in Maranello’s Driver Academy like Oliver Bearman: “Hamilton is obviously in a better position this year, but he probably won’t have any chance against Leclerc in the long term. It is so – he said – Alonso and Hamilton have had wonderful moments in Formula 1, but I think it’s time for them to leave the cockpit at the end of the year and give space to the young drivers. Hamilton has achieved everything he could. He is one of the most successful drivers ever, if not the greatest, as the English would say. He deserves it. He’s done for this year. This comeback has been fantastic, but I believe everything has an end. That’s why I say now that I think it’s time to give space to the younger generation. Oliver Bearman deserves the chance to drive the Ferrari. I also believe that, if given the opportunity, he could compete with Charles Leclerc. It wouldn’t be easy for Leclerc.”
A younger grid
Schumacher added further personal considerations on the possibility of seeing Bearman arrive at Ferrari, who has already said he is ready for this big step forward despite the team’s intention to continue this season with the current line-up: “They want to keep the Lewis Hamilton brand. There are many promising young drivers coming from Formula 2 who deserve a chance. I hope the starting grid will be a bit younger next year. Bearman definitely deserves the chance to drive a Ferrari.”
