Former Formula 1 driver Ralf Schumacher has advised Lewis Hamilton to ‘vacate his cockpit’ and retire from the sport, urging Ferrari turn to Oliver Bearman to partner Charles Leclerc.
Hamilton has not won a Grand Prix since the British Grand Prix two seasons ago, and suffered a miserable maiden year with Ferrari, failing to score a podium in a season for the first time in his illustrious career.
The Briton was heavily hampered by an uncompromising and self-described “alien” SF-25, which Leclerc was able to extract more from, with seven podiums and one pole position.
2026 has gotten off to a much better start, with Hamilton scoring his first top-three finish in red at Shanghai, coming out on top in a thrilling battle for third place with Leclerc.
However, both Japanese and Miami Grands Prix saw him back to being in the Monegasque’s shadow, finishing above him in the latter due to his post-race 20-second penalty.
And while Sky Sports Germany pundit Schumacher acknowledged that Hamilton is in a stronger place compared to last year, he, and fellow Grand Prix veteran Fernando Alonso, ought to retire.
“Hamilton is in a better position again this year,” the German said.
“But over the course of the season, he won’t stand a chance against Leclerc.
“It’s time [to retire]. And I have to say the same about Fernando Alonso: Hamilton and Alonso have had a wonderful time in Formula 1, but now it’s time for both of them to vacate their cockpits at the end of the year and give young people a chance.”
Bearman to ‘pose a challenge to Leclerc’ if given Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari seat
Schumacher opined that Bearman, a member of the Ferrari academy for four years and currently proving his worth in F1 with Haas, would ultimately provide a sterner challenge to Leclerc.
“And I also believe that, if he gets the chance, he’ll even pose a challenge to Charles Leclerc,” he continued. “I’m pretty sure of that. So I’d say he’s actually better.”
Bearman is highly-thought of by the Scuderia and would, on current form, being indeed a deserving prospect, but with Hamilton still slated by many to be able to turn on the old magic when given half a chance, it could prove to be a big dilemma.
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