Ralf Schumacher says Ferrari are ‘doomed’ unless they replace Lewis Hamilton immediately

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Lewis Hamilton’s rollercoaster of a maiden season at Ferrari has finally come to an end, and Ralf Schumacher thinks it should ultimately be his final one.

After breaking the internet with his move to the Scuderia before the 2024 F1 season had even begun, Lewis Hamilton’s career at Ferrari has been a shell of what was first expected.

A Sprint race win in China marked the only highlight from a difficult first season in red, and rumours of an early exit for Hamilton were rife as the year ensued.

The seven-time world champion is currently contracted to the Prancing Horse until the end of the 2026 season, with an option for 2027.

However, Ralf Schumacher believes that there isn’t a better time than the present for Ferrari to give Hamilton his marching orders.

• READ MORE: Lewis Hamilton’s dire first Ferrari season keeps drawing the same comparison to Michael Schumacher

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Ralf Schumacher tells Ferrari why they ‘can’t afford’ to keep Lewis Hamilton for the upcoming F1 season

Ralf Schumacher was a big critic of the seven-time world champion during the recently concluded Formula 1 season, and his assessment of Hamilton’s future at Ferrari is no different.

Speaking to Sky, via Sport.de, the former F1 driver said, “The problem is, Ferrari can’t afford to be competing for the World Championship with only one car next year, with only Charles Leclerc at the wheel.

“Developing a car in a single weekend, that’s what I hear is Lewis Hamilton’s biggest weakness. He’s desperately searching for the driving feel with which he once won.

“Apparently, he then completely rebuilds the car and demands things that are simply impossible. He’s unable to change his driving style.

“The simulator must be an absolute nightmare for him, because he doesn’t use it at all. That’s not modern Formula 1.

“He needs to let go and, above all, allow the team to have a second good and young driver alongside Leclerc next year.

“Otherwise, Ferrari is doomed. They can’t develop a car that suits both Charles and Lewis at the same time.”

• READ MORE: Romain Grosjean tells Lewis Hamilton why he ‘cannot’ retire from F1 after one bad season at Ferrari

Ralf Schumacher was one of Lewis Hamilton’s biggest critics during the 2025 F1 season

As Hamilton’s woes with the Maranello-based team became increasingly obvious with every passing race weekend in 2025, the German pundit’s criticism of him continued to be voiced.

Schumacher believes Hamilton will never win a title with Ferrari due to his inability to change his driving style to one that the Italian F1 car demands.

The British driver’s motive behind the switch to Ferrari from Mercedes was based on his ambition to stand in a league of his own in Formula 1 as the only eight-time world champion in the history of the sport.

However, it’s clear that Michael Schumacher’s younger brother doesn’t back him to get the job done. In fact, Ralf Schumacher believes Hamilton has already passed the moment he knew he needed to retire.

The six-time Grand Prix winner previously detailed how he retired as soon as he realised he wasn’t competitive against his teammate.