Six-time Formula 1 winner Ralf Schumacher sees monetary motivations in Lewis Hamilton’s deal with Ferrari, as it suggests Hamilton’s skill and drive are the “crucial” question mark surrounding the partnership’s good fortunes.
Hamilton caused a surprise by revealing, ahead of the 2024 F1 campaign, that he will be a Ferrari driver from next season, marking the end of his record-breaking partnership with Mercedes, which has produced six drivers’ titles since his arrival in 2013.
Hamilton will marry Charles Leclerc in what promises to be an interesting Ferrari pairing, Hamilton’s poor start to his final season at Mercedes has sparked speculation about who will win in this future battle within the team, with Hamilton’s current Mercedes teammate. Russell has had obvious merit so far this season.
In fact, Schumacher believes that the point Hamilton is betting on now and his motivation will make or break his career at Ferrari, he believes that Hamilton has tried to establish himself very well financially with this wonderful team swap.
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Asked via Sport1 if Hamilton could motivate a record-breaking era at Ferrari comparable to that of Michael Schumacher, his brother Ralf replied: “That’s a smart question. One thing is for sure: Fred Vasseur, who is in his second year. at the helm of the team – he has led the way.
“The car has improved, calm has returned to the team and he is doing everything he can to make Ferrari even stronger in the long term with new technicians.
“But the question is: how smart is Lewis Hamilton yet?How motivated are you? He expects everything to be done to make him feel comfortable, to be number one in the team.
“But I don’t think Charles Leclerc considers himself Ferrari’s second driver. It’s a challenge for him. He has to beat Hamilton, who is in the final stretch of his career due to his age.
“But Leclerc has advantages: he’s a Ferrari student and speaks Italian very well. That’s why it will be exciting to see how everything evolves at Ferrari.
“But I can understand Lewis: he was looking to make real money and look for a logo that had so much appeal that he could still use it after his active career. “
Leclerc signed new multi-year terms at Ferrari shortly before the deal with Hamilton was confirmed, and both drivers will see Ferrari enter the new era of F1 from 2026, where the best chance for Ferrari to end its sterile name era, underway since 2008. It may simply fall back on new-looking cars and powertrains.
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