Former Formula 1 driver Ralf Schumacher stated that Max Verstappen would find life at Mercedes very difficult and argued that Lewis Hamilton has never learned to run a team.
Verstappen’s Technical Involvement
Speaking on the Backstage Boxengasse podcast on Sky Sports Germany, Schumacher explained that Verstappen’s deep involvement in the technical side of Red Bull would likely not carry over easily to another team like Mercedes. He noted that the Dutch driver is extremely technically switched on and wants to know precise details about every component as soon as he steps into the car. Schumacher attributed this trait to Verstappen’s upbringing with his father, former F1 driver Jos Verstappen, comparing it to his own childhood alongside his older brother Michael Schumacher.
Schumacher doubts that Mercedes would welcome that level of influence from a driver, suggesting that Ferrari would be a much better fit. He noted that Ferrari is accustomed to drivers making demands, a culture he believes originated from what Michael Schumacher left behind at the Maranello outfit.
Criticism of Hamilton’s Leadership
Turning his attention to Ferrari’s upcoming driver dynamics, Schumacher did not hold back in his assessment of Hamilton. He stated that the seven-time world champion never learned how to lead a team during his time under Toto Wolff at Mercedes or Ron Dennis at McLaren. Schumacher added that leadership was never Hamilton’s job, as his sole responsibility was to get in the car and drive as fast as possible, which he believes has made the British driver quite egotistical.
