Lewis Hamilton is absolutely conscious that comparisons to Michael Schumacher will probably be unavoidable when he joins Ferrari in 2025. As two of essentially the most profitable drivers in Formulation 1 historical past, their legacies are sometimes measured facet by facet. Hamilton has made the choice to maneuver to the Scuderia as a result of he believes it presents him the most effective alternative to safe a record-breaking eighth world championship, permitting him to surpass Michael Schumacher earlier than he retires. The 39-year-old has already surpassed the German by way of race wins (105 to 91) and pole positions (104 to 68), however many will solely take into account him the undisputed biggest of all time if he clinches one other title.
Schumacher, in fact, received 5 of his seven championships with Ferrari, however his profession trajectory with the group was totally different from Hamilton’s. When the German driver joined Ferrari in 1996, he was 27 years outdated, nonetheless within the prime of his profession. Lewis Hamilton, then again, will probably be 39 when he begins his new chapter with the group, making his window of alternative to realize his final objective comparatively slim. Frederic Vasseur, Ferrari’s group principal, has provided the British driver a two-year contract with an possibility for a 3rd season, however this will very effectively be the one deal Lewis Hamilton indicators throughout his tenure at Maranello.
Whereas Ferrari has come near successful the Constructors’ Championship in recent times, Lewis Hamilton is optimistic that the group will discover the fitting formulation to capitalize on the upcoming 2026 Formulation 1 regulation adjustments, that are anticipated to be pivotal in shaping the way forward for Formulation 1.
As a part of his transfer to Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton is planning to relocate to Italy. Experiences earlier this 12 months prompt that he would keep in Enzo Ferrari’s former residence close to the Fiorano take a look at monitor, a privilege beforehand loved by Michael Schumacher. Nonetheless, it’s extra doubtless that Lewis Hamilton will use Enzo Ferrari’s home as a base when he’s on-site at Maranello. Moreover, Lewis Hamilton is anticipated to amass a property in Italy, doubtless in Milan, which is located round 120 miles from Ferrari’s headquarters. It stays unclear whether or not the seven-time Formulation 1 world champion will promote his Monaco residence, the place many F1 drivers reside, however the transfer to Italy marks an vital step in his immersion with Ferrari.
Charles Leclerc, Lewis Hamilton’s teammate, has been deeply embedded within the Ferrari group since 2016 and made his debut in 2019. Charles Leclerc’s familiarity with the group will doubtless current a problem to the British driver as he adjusts to his new surroundings. As a part of his transition, Lewis Hamilton has already begun studying Italian, which can assist him talk extra successfully along with his mechanics and likewise forge a stronger reference to Ferrari’s passionate fanbase, the Tifosi. Rwandan and Belgian racing driver and tv presenter Naomi Schiff has prompt that Charles Leclerc’s fluency in Italian may make Lewis Hamilton really feel “paranoid” throughout group conferences, a problem Lewis Hamilton is ready to embrace.
Throughout his time at Ferrari, Michael Schumacher lived in Vufflens-le-Château, a municipality close to the Swiss metropolis of Geneva, the place he stayed along with his household. His choice to stay in Switzerland was influenced by private elements, together with the start of his youngsters. Equally, Lewis Hamilton’s transfer to Italy displays each skilled and private issues as he prepares for the following section of his illustrious profession.