Schumacher believes Hamilton ought to make way for Bearman.

      Ralf Schumacher believes it might be time for Lewis Hamilton to step back from Formula 1 and make way for Ferrari junior Oliver Bearman. His remarks followed a challenging weekend for Hamilton in Miami, where Ferrari's significant upgrades seemed to close the gap to the front, primarily benefitting Charles Leclerc.

      "Lewis Hamilton is clearly in a better situation this year," Schumacher stated to Sky Deutschland. "However, in the long term, he likely won’t stand a chance against Leclerc. That's the reality."

      The German also suggested that another driver in his 40s should think about stepping aside. "Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton have enjoyed a great run in Formula 1, but I believe it’s time for them to exit the cockpit at the end of the year and give younger talents a chance," Schumacher commented. "That’s why I’m asserting that it’s time to let the younger generation take the wheel."

      "Oliver Bearman deserves the opportunity to drive for Ferrari," he added. "I genuinely believe that if given the chance, he can compete with Charles Leclerc, which wouldn't be easy for Leclerc."

      Schumacher mentioned that Ferrari might prioritize Hamilton's commercial value over straightforward sports considerations, noting that the 41-year-old is already under contract until 2027. "They want to maintain the brand of Lewis Hamilton," he explained. "There are many talented young drivers emerging from Formula 2 who also deserve a shot. I hope the grid will feature younger talent next year."

      Following the Miami race, Hamilton emphasized that Ferrari’s preparation techniques, particularly their simulator work, are not translating well to the real car. "We rely on what we test in the simulator, but when we get to the track, the car feels different. Generally, I'm not a fan of simulators, but in the lead-up to this race, I've been using it weekly, consistently working on the correlation," he said. "You set up the car a certain way... then at the track, that setup doesn’t function properly."

      Hamilton mentioned that he plans to stop simulator work before the Canada race, a circuit where he traditionally performs well. "Before Canada, I won’t be using the simulator," he disclosed. "I’ll be at the factory, participating in meetings, but I'll avoid the simulator for a while and see how it goes."

      He also noted that his race was affected when contact with Franco Colapinto caused damage to his car's sidepod and floor.

      Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur acknowledged that Leclerc had better pace throughout the weekend, stating, "Charles’ pace was strong when the track was clear and we were competing at the front. However, it became more challenging when we got caught in traffic, and he struggled to maintain consistent lap times."

      Schumacher also cautioned about a potential major shift within Mercedes, where teenager Kimi Antonelli has achieved the first three grand prix wins of his career consecutively from pole position. "George Russell is undoubtedly an excellent Formula 1 driver with a real chance at the championship this year given his experience," he remarked. "Yet, it’s evident that things aren’t going smoothly."

      "In my view, if this situation persists, he might soon find himself in a number two position, similar to Bottas in the past."