Hamilton has won over Maranello: some at Ferrari see echoes of the Schumacher era
The comparison is significant, especially coming from within Ferrari. Lewis Hamilton and Michael Schumacher have very different careers, personalities, and histories. Yet, according to Rob Smedley, some men in Maranello who experienced both eras are spotting similarities in how the Brit is leading the team.
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This is not so much a direct comparison on track, but about the impact Hamilton is having on Ferrari. After a difficult first season with the Prancing Horse, Hamilton stepped up in 2026, claiming his first victory at Barcelona and entering the summer break second in the Drivers’ Championship.
Smedley reveals Ferrari insiders’ views on Hamilton
Rob Smedley knows the Maranello environment very well, having worked at Ferrari for nearly a decade. Speaking on the High Performance Racing podcast, the former Ferrari engineer shared how Hamilton is currently viewed within the Scuderia.
“I want to say a word for Lewis. It feels like he is really pushing the team. When a driver of his stature arrives, it seems the entire team becomes even 1% more capable.”
What strikes Smedley most is Hamilton’s relationship with the Maranello staff. “They adore him. Whenever I talk individually or in group chats, everyone speaks highly of him because he’s delivering results.”
Ferrari confident Hamilton can still win a world title
Smedley believes Hamilton’s seven world championships have not become a pressure point for Ferrari. Instead, they have boosted the team’s belief in returning to the top.
“He’s a seven-time world champion and they know he’s someone who can deliver. He can still win titles, while also pushing the team in the right way—and they recognize that.”
This is especially notable given how challenging Hamilton’s first year at Ferrari was. The 2026 season tells a different story, with the Brit fully integrated and consistently competing at the front.
Weighty comparison: Michael Schumacher
At this point, Smedley introduces the most significant name in Ferrari’s recent history. According to the British engineer, some personnel who have been in Maranello for over twenty years are seeing parallels between Hamilton and Michael Schumacher.
“The guys there for twenty years or more recognize similarities between him and Michael.” This primarily refers to Hamilton’s ability to engage and push the team around him. Schumacher came to Ferrari in 1996 and helped build the squad that would dominate Formula 1 in the early 2000s, winning five consecutive Drivers’ titles with the Scuderia.
A direct comparison between Hamilton and Schumacher is still premature, especially since the Brit has yet to secure a World Championship with Ferrari. However, Smedley’s point is different: those inside who experienced both eras recognize something familiar in how Hamilton demands, motivates, and drives the team forward.
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