Lewis Hamilton’s camp were told he could be another Michael Schumacher when he joined Ferrari

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Lewis Hamilton is starting to feel the love from the Scuderia, but can he ever achieve the mythical status Michael Schumacher holds among the Ferrari faithful?

Hamilton seems happy with Ferrari this year after what was a difficult first season for the seven-time world champion.

This happiness has come with a renewed vigour and aggression, as Hamilton has escaped the straitjacket he was in under the previous regulation set.

Which F1 champion on the 2026 grid will score a Grand Prix win first?

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What was once thought to be a tenuous situation between Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari has now become a prosperous partnership, with the Briton earning three podium finishes this season, his most since joining the team.

This energy between the two sides is something few expected. But those within Hamilton’s inner circle were told that he could emulate Michael Schumacher’s success at Ferrari.

READ MORE: Charles Leclerc learned an ‘uncomfortable’ Lewis Hamilton lesson at the Monaco Grand Prix

Former Ferrari engineer says Lewis Hamilton is starting to be loved like Michael Schumacher

Speaking on the High Performance Racing podcast, former Ferrari engineer Rob Smedley revealed that he told Lewis Hamilton’s management that he could find himself in a similar situation to Michael Schumacher at Ferrari.

Schumacher was beloved by members of the Ferrari team, and Smedley expected the same for Hamilton. And though it took some time, Smedley has heard from Ferrari staff members who have spoken very highly about the Briton.

“He’s very driven, and this is what that team can do for you. He’s now starting to feel the love of that team and everybody behind him. He was a little bit bumpy last year.

“I remember when he was going there, which was a little bit of a surprise. I was chatting with his management and people around him.

“I said to them, ‘Look, it can be another Michael story, where the whole of the country just falls in love with him. He’s got to get on top of things, and he’s got to give back. And if he’s winning, they will love him.’

“We’re just seeing that more this year. I’ve got lots of mates still in Ferrari. Their attitude about him. They just love him because he’s a legend.”

READ MORE: David Coulthard was stunned by what Lewis Hamilton did during their Monaco Grand Prix interview

Predict at which race Lewis Hamilton will take his first Ferrari Grand Prix win?

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Otmar Szafnauer believes Lewis Hamilton is finally ‘gelling’ with Ferrari

Speaking further on this topic, former Alpine team principal Otmar Szafnauer claimed that Lewis Hamilton needed time adapting to Ferrari’s culture after a decade at Mercedes.

And even though it did take some time, Szafnauer claimed that Hamilton is finally starting to gel with the team, which is why Ferrari are so supportive of him this season.

“You have to remember. He was at Mercedes for so long with a certain culture. That certain culture is not the same… You’re going into a new team, new people, new culture.

“It takes time for you to gel with them all. I think that gelling is starting to happen. Once that happens, and they get behind him and love him, and he loves them, it’ll be good.”

Hamilton has been grateful to Fred Vasseur and Ferrari for the work they’ve done on the SF-26 and the freedom they’ve given him to make changes, as it has allowed him to find a lot more success.

This happiness and success are visible in Hamilton’s improved body language with Ferrari, as he looks to make a comeback in the title race after four years of not competing for the world championship.