Ex-Formula 1 race winner Ralf Schumacher believes that Charles Leclerc would have the edge over Lewis Hamilton at Ferrari if the pair’s car proved to be unstable.
Ferrari made the shock revelation last week that Hamilton will be replacing Carlos Sainz at the team from next season on a multi-year deal to partner Charles Leclerc at the team.
The Italian marque’s impending driver line-up will create one of the most intriguing dynamics on the grid as the seven-time champion goes up against the Monegasque, who has been in Ferrari’s ranks since 2016.
Although Schumacher can’t predict who will emerge on top, he senses Leclerc’s preference for a sharp front end means he is more suited to taming a less compliant car.
“When Hamilton is at Ferrari he will try to be the team’s number one, but I think he will have to fight for it because Leclerc has been there for a long time,” he told Sky Germany.
“The most important thing is what the drivers want. Lewis needs a stable car, while Charles can drive an unstable car. It remains to be seen who will prevail.”
Schumacher also anticipates that the upcoming campaign will prove to be tough to navigate for Ferrari and Mercedes with drivers exiting at the end of this season.
Despite Mercedes boss Toto Wolff insisting both drivers will be treated on equal terms, the German contends that it’s inevitable the team will pivot towards George Russell.
“2024 will be a very difficult year for Ferrari and Mercedes,” Schumacher added.
“On the one hand, you have a driver who is supposed to be fighting for the World Championship, so you have to share everything with him. But only up to a certain point in the season, due to the development of the car.
“At Mercedes, without a doubt, they will focus more on supporting George Russell.”
Schumacher can also understand Hamilton’s decision to leave Mercedes, citing that the marque’s struggles would have seen the Briton’s faith in the team waver significantly.
Hamilton has not added to his record total of 103 race wins since F1’s return to ground effect aero in 2022 amid the Brackley-based squad’s troubles with nailing a car concept.
“At first it seemed surprising to us, but it’s actually somewhat understandable,” Schumacher reasoned.
“Lewis wants to win no matter what and I think he has lost a bit of confidence in the Mercedes team in the last two years. Those two years were really difficult.”
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