Lewis Hamilton’s move to Ferrari has generated a level of excitement rarely seen before in F1. At the end of next week, he’ll finally make his debut at the Australian Grand Prix.
Karun Chandhok called the buzz around Hamilton ‘unreal’, and it’s already proved lucrative for Ferrari. His first Instagram post in their colours netted a record-breaking 5.7 million likes.
Ferrari’s sponsors made £767k from Hamilton’s photo, according to estimates. But he’ll hope it’s not the most iconic image that arises from his tenure.
New boss Fred Vasseur says Hamilton has dreamed of Ferrari for his whole career. This isn’t just a fairytale move, though – it’s an attempt to win an unprecedented eighth world championship.
Michael Schumacher broke Juan Manuel Fangio’s half-century-old record in 2003 when he won his sixth title. A seventh followed a year later.
Hamilton matched Schumacher in 2020 but after the heartbreak of 2021, he hasn’t had the machinery to compete. He hopes Ferrari can succeed where Mercedes have failed in the ground-effect era, but now there are doubts emerging over his level as he hits 40.
Everything Ralf Schumacher has said about Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari move as he rubbishes title chances
Speaking to dpa this week, Ralf Schumacher cast fresh doubt on Hamilton’s prospects for 2025. Schumacher is a six-time Formula 1 race-winner and the lead pundit at Sky Germany.
“Somehow I have the feeling that Charles Leclerc will manage it if either of the Ferraris do,” he said. “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 and no matter what you do.”
| Stat | Ralf Schumacher’s F1 career |
| Debut | 1997 Australian Grand Prix |
| Final race | 2007 Brazilian Grand Prix |
| Race starts | 180 |
| Poles | 6 |
| Wins | 6 |
| Podiums | 27 |
| Points | 329 |
During testing, Schumacher suggested Leclerc should have Hamilton ‘under control’. While the Englishman remains ‘super fast’, his new teammate could quickly expose ‘the myth’ that Hamilton will be F1’s next champion.
Back in December, Schumacher even claimed Hamilton might not fulfil his Ferrari contract. His deal runs for an initial two years with the option of a third.
The German has made it abundantly clear at this point that he just doesn’t get the hype around the move. He isn’t expecting to see Hamilton make a sudden Hollywood comeback in scarlet red.
Ralf Schumacher explains why Lewis Hamilton will never be as good as Michael Schumacher
Looking beyond 2025, Schumacher has refused to label Hamilton the greatest of all time, even though he’s statistically the most successful F1 driver. That’s understandable given his family connections.
But he doesn’t think it’s close between the two seven-time champions – he says Hamilton will never come within ‘light years’ of Schumacher. They enjoyed similar periods of dominance, the former from 2014-20 and the latter from 2000-04.
Hamilton can’t develop a car like Schumacher did, the former Williams driver claims. He’ll look to disprove that theory at Ferrari.
McLaren are widely expected to start the 2025 season as the leaders. But Vasseur will lean on Hamilton’s feedback as he tries to haul the Scuderia ahead through upgrades.
