Schumacher suggests that Hamilton ought to make way for Bearman.

      Ralf Schumacher believes it might be time for Lewis Hamilton to depart from Formula 1 and make way for Ferrari junior Oliver Bearman. This statement followed a challenging weekend for Hamilton in Miami, where Ferrari's significant upgrade seemed to bring the team closer to the front, largely benefiting teammate Charles Leclerc.

      "Lewis Hamilton is clearly in a stronger position this year," Schumacher told Sky Deutschland. "However, he may struggle to compete with Leclerc in the long term. That’s the reality."

      The German also suggested that another driver in his 40s should think about stepping away. "Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton have had an incredible journey in Formula 1. But I believe it’s time for them to exit the cockpit by the end of the year and make space for younger talents," said Schumacher. "That's why I’m stating that we should allow the younger generation an opportunity."

      "Oliver Bearman deserves the chance to drive for Ferrari. I also think that if given the opportunity, he can match Charles Leclerc. It wouldn’t be an easy challenge for Leclerc."

      Schumacher mentioned that Ferrari might ultimately favor Hamilton’s commercial appeal over purely sporting considerations, noting that the 41-year-old is believed to be under contract until 2027. "They want to preserve the Lewis Hamilton brand," he commented. "Numerous talented young drivers are emerging from Formula 2 who merit a chance. I hope the grid will see a younger lineup next year."

      After the Miami race, Hamilton stressed that Ferrari's preparation techniques – especially regarding simulator work – do not align well with the actual car performance. "We base our work on what we test in the simulator, but once we’re at 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 on it every week, continuously working on correlation."

      "You prepare, drive, and set up the car in a specific manner... then you arrive at the track, and that setup fails to work."

      The seven-time world champion indicated that he would no longer engage in simulator work before the Canadian Grand Prix, a circuit where he traditionally excels. "Before Canada, I won’t be using the simulator," Hamilton confirmed. "I’ll be at the factory, participating in the meetings, but I’ll avoid the simulator for a bit and see what happens."

      Hamilton also noted that his race was negatively impacted after making contact with Franco Colapinto, which damaged the Ferrari’s sidepod and floor. Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur acknowledged that Leclerc exhibited stronger pace throughout the weekend, stating, "Charles' pace was robust when the track was clear and we were battling at the front. But when we got caught in traffic, it became more challenging, and he struggled to maintain consistent lap times."

      Schumacher also cautioned that a significant intra-team shift might be developing at Mercedes, where teenager Kimi Antonelli has secured three consecutive grand prix wins from pole position. "George Russell is undeniably an excellent Formula 1 driver, and he has every opportunity to contend for the championship this year due to his experience," he said. "Nonetheless, it’s evident that things aren’t running smoothly."

      "In my view, if the current situation persists, he may soon find himself in the number 2 position, similar to Bottas in the past."