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Why Verstappen can handle new F1 cars and Hamilton can't
According to Ralf Schumacher, there is one key difference in driving style between Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton. Because of that difference, Verstappen is able to drive the current generation of F1 cars well, where Hamilton increasingly struggles with them.
Since the new regulations were introduced in 2022, Hamilton has visibly struggled with his Mercedes. George Russell increasingly gained the upper hand within the team, with 2024 having seen the biggest difference in qualifying so far. Ralf Schumacher seems to think he knows how and why this difference has come about.
"A young driver can adapt better to the car and also understand better what are the limits of a car. A car gives a driver feedback where the limit is. A young driver can work better with an engineer. An experienced driver like Lewis was successful in other cars that were built for different regulations and suited his driving style," Schumacher told Sport1.de.
Why Hamilton struggles with current F1 cars
"Today's cars are heavier and slower to drive. There is less mechanical grip. That means you have to adapt your driving style, especially in the braking zones. That is exactly where Lewis lost time compared to Russell. In qualifying, it was clear that Lewis no longer knew how to brake. That's why he often missed the apex. He was so used to braking extremely late, but that was no longer possible with the Mercedes. He is not the only one who needs a stable front end, Max Verstappen has the same. Only Max is able to deal with an unstable rear end."
The fact that Hamilton cannot do that is nothing new, according to Schumacher. ''Lewis has always needed a balanced car. Not as bad as Sebastian Vettel, who needed an extremely stable rear end, but similar."
In that respect, the switch from Mercedes to Ferrari will be an important test for Hamilton. A completely new team and a completely new car, but still under the same regulations. Hamilton will therefore have to adapt quickly in order not to be immediately beaten by future teammate Charles Leclerc.
This article was written in collaboration with Norberto Mujica
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