The tension within the Ferrari team is escalating as they race towards the goal of crowning the first Ferrari World Champion since 2007. In this heated competition, Ralf Schumacher has voiced his opinion, stating that if he were in Lewis Hamilton’s shoes, he wouldn’t have chosen to take on Charles Leclerc.
The question on everyone’s mind is, who will emerge victorious – Lewis Hamilton or Charles Leclerc? This intra-team rivalry at Ferrari is set to be the most exciting part of the F1 2025 season. Hamilton, the seven-time F1 World Champion, is now teaming up with Leclerc, who has eight Grand Prix wins under his belt.
Hamilton’s impressive record as the most successful driver in Formula 1, boasting the highest number of wins and pole positions, puts him in a strong position. He is also tied with Michael Schumacher for the most World titles. However, Leclerc has been a part of the Ferrari team since 2020, following Sebastian Vettel’s departure, creating a sense of loyalty and familiarity.
This raises an intriguing question – Which side of the Ferrari garage will triumph? Despite acknowledging that it might seem premature to suggest Hamilton is nearing retirement, Schumacher believes Leclerc could have the upper hand due to this undeniable fact.
Schumacher further elaborates that the intense pressure on Ferrari will be coming from both sides of the garage. The risk for Ferrari, he claims, is extremely high. Speaking on the ‘Backstage Boxengasse’ podcast, he expressed his concerns stating, “If Charles Leclerc is slower, then his exceptional talent is questioned. And if Lewis Hamilton is outpaced by Leclerc, it can be equally difficult.”
He went on to question his own decision if he were to drive alongside Leclerc, pointing out the stark contrast between a driver in his prime and one potentially moving towards retirement.
Adding another perspective, Schumacher, now a Sky pundit, speculates that it could take Hamilton at least half a year to settle into the Ferrari team. By this time, the title could already be in Leclerc’s grasp. He elaborates, “If the car is capable of winning the title, it should logically favor Charles Leclerc since he’s already a part of the team.”
Despite Schumacher’s observations about Hamilton and retirement, and similar sentiments being echoed by others, Hamilton, according to Toto Wolff, doesn’t feel close to retirement. In an interview with Time Magazine, Hamilton emphasized his uniqueness, attributing his undying hunger and focus on winning as his prime motivators.
Rebuffing any suggestions of a limited ‘shelf life’, Hamilton confidently expressed his longevity in the sport, stating, “What I can tell you is, retirement is nowhere on my radar. I could be here until I’m 50, who knows.”
With such an intense atmosphere surrounding the Ferrari team, the upcoming F1 2025 season is sure to be an exciting one. The battle between Hamilton and Leclerc is poised to be a defining spectacle, and possibly, a historical turning point in the world of Formula 1.
