Michael Schumacher and Lewis Hamilton: One has shaped Formula 1 for years, the other opens up to him. The comparison: Where is “Schumi” in front – and where has Hamilton overtaking it?
It is still an unusual sight: Lewis Hamilton in the red overall of Ferrari. Since this season, the 39-year-old has been driving for Scuderia in Formula 1, after twelve years at Mercedes. The early announcement of the sensational change of the superstar to the most traditional team in the “premier class” had triggered a quake in the sports world in February 2024. Now the time has come: Hamilton goes into his first year with the racing team from Maranello. “You can see him in other team clothes than when the woman suddenly runs around with another man,” noticed his former Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff.
“It is the most exciting time of my life, I am full of anticipation. I feel honored and am very grateful to be in this position,” said Hamilton shortly before the start of the season. In Ferrari, the Brit wants to show everyone again – and the seven -time world champion still has a great goal: title number eight – who would make him sole record world champion of Formula 1.
Hamilton still shares this honor with Michael Schumacher, who also drove seven World Cup successes in his great career, five of them also in Ferrari. “Of course I would pay attention to this World Cup title as much as all his victories,” said long-time Mercedes sports director Norbert Haug in an interview with T-Online before the start of the season. “I am also quite sure that Michael Schumacher would be the first to congratulate Lewis Hamilton from the heart, he would be able to do so.”
The hunt for the record: Both Hamilton and “Schumi” already hold numerous records in Formula 1 – and are often very close together. Where the German is still in front and where “Sir Lewis” is already ahead of him, you can see the photo show or here.