F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali sees Lewis Hamilton’s arrival at Ferrari as very different to Michael Schumacher’s in the mid-1990s.
The seven-time F1 world champion will join the Scuderia at the end of this season from Mercedes, the team where Michael Schumacher won five of his seven titles in the early 2000s.
Stefano Domenicali points out the difference between Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari
One of the key differences between the movements of the two most successful drivers in F1 history is that in Schumacher’s case he moved to Ferrari with just two titles left, while his five consecutive titles from 2000 to 2004 earned him legendary status. This is what made it solid.
Hamilton joins the Scuderia, where he already has seven titles under his belt, but he also has the same challenge of helping Ferrari return to the top of F1, having been on the verge of knocking Red Bull out of the title race.
Stefano Domenicali, former Ferrari team boss and current F1 CEO, has direct experience working with Schumacher within the team, and believes that the Ferrari of Schumacher’s era and the Ferrari that Hamilton has reached. He said he sees further differences.
Asked by Italy’s Leo Turrini at the Quotidiano Nazionale whether Hamilton could become Ferrari’s next Schumacher, Domenicali replied: “Yes, but there are certainly differences and I am not referring to age. However, Michael was much younger when he arrived in Italy.” ”
As for what the difference is, Domenicali said the dynamic Hamilton will have with his teammate is very different from Schumacher’s arrangement.
“Schumi was the absolute dominant force and Irvine was officially No. 2,” he said.
“Lewis will have to play with players like this.” [Charles] Leclerc will never take on wingman duties. ”
Domenicali also believes Ferrari team boss Fred Vasseur will have no problem keeping the two Alfa drivers under control. “I think Mr. Fred is fully capable of handling the situation that he contributed to the decision in the first place.”
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Stefano Domenicali: ‘Lewis Hamilton has lost none of his talent’
Hamilton turns 40 just before starting his first season in red, but Domenicali said age would not be a factor preventing him from winning races or championships if the car is capable. .
“I participate in every race,” he said.
“Hamilton has lost none of his talent and is still hungry for success.”
With Hamilton’s arrival forcing Spaniard Carlos Sainz to enter the job market in an attempt to find work with another team, Domenicali believes Sainz is a capable race winner and a match for Leclerc. Given that Hamilton has proven that Ferrari has no need for him, he said.
“Some people think we don’t need a seven-time world champion and I can see why. But that’s the wrong reasoning,” he said.
“Carlos is [excellent driver] And of course, he’s a market guy now.
“He will find an arrangement that suits his qualities. But thanks to Hamilton, Ferrari has achieved great management, not just on a marketing level. It’s a strategic choice, that’s all.”
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