Lewis Hamilton handed 'mental' concern ahead of crunch Ferrari season

Lewis Hamilton's struggles at Ferrari are due to his mental struggles, rather than his age, according to former F1 driver Ralf Schumacher.

Hamilton ended his stint with Mercedes at the end of the 2024 campaign to join Ferrari and commence a new career chapter.

However, it was a season of despair for the seven-time champion as he failed to capture a single podium through the year.

Schumacher pointed to his own early-season predictions for Hamilton when he asserted the Briton would struggle to adapt to the new team.

“Expectations were enormous,” Schumacher told F1 Insider. 

“I received a lot of criticism when I said he wouldn't be fighting for the world championship and would need time to keep up with Leclerc. 

“That's exactly how it turned out. There are no more tests. Winter tests would have helped in the past. 

“But behind the scenes, you hear he doesn't like simulators. And he's still searching for that old driving feel.”

Hamilton will enter the upcoming F1 season as the second-oldest driver on the grid at 41 years of age, trailing only Fernando Alonso.

But Schumacher does not believe Hamilton's struggles relate to his age at all.

“That tells me it's not just age, but also a mental thing,” he said.

“He's no longer willing to open up. I know that feeling myself – on a different level. 

“Frederic Vasseur (Ferrari team principal; ed.) now hopes he'll embrace the package more next year. 

“I think the chances are slim. The car is becoming more twitchy, Leclerc can handle that, Hamilton needs stability at the rear.”