Lewis Hamilton told to quit Mercedes to outdo Michael Schumacher

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Lewis Hamilton has been urged to ditch Mercedes for Ferrari to follow in Michael Schumacher’s footsteps. Ex-Sky Sports host Johnny Herbert claimed Hamilton could take the “same mentality” to the Italian marque as Schumacher did when he switched in 1996.

However, Hamilton could surpass the German icon and secure an eighth title if he can strike success with the Scuderia. Herbert told Express Sport: “Does Lewis have that belief they can turn it around? Not signing a contract I think shows one thing, which is ‘well it gives me options’.

“The only option that is out there is the Ferrari. Is it somewhere that could give Lewis and Charles a world championship? Well yes but again it’s about getting all the right ingredients. It’s great over one lap but it’s not great over more than about three or four. It does seem to have race pace issues when comparing it to the car you’re trying to beat, the Red Bull.

“There are certain ingredients there that are positive, with his experience.

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“Now I know when Michael [Schumacher] went he went with Rory Byrne, he went with Ross [Brawn], a few people with Benetton and he made it work because they had that total utter belief. But I think [Hamilton] will take that same mentality to Ferrari because Ferrari will know he has seven laurels on his overalls and you know this guy is the real deal.”

Hamilton is yet to secure a new deal at Mercedes despite bosses suggesting a contract would be sorted over the winter. It has led several pundits such as Martin Brundle and Eddie Jordan to speculate a move to Ferrari could be on the cards.

Despite the rumours, Hamilton has appeared to reject the possibility of a move and has stressed Mercedes is still his “home”. However, Herbert admits Hamilton may not be able to afford to turn down a possible move if an offer comes in.

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Herbert added: “Can he still do the job? Personally, I think he can, there’s a bit of a change with the youngsters and George is sort of proving that but he is pretty much there with George and he still has enough to give to a team, to Formula One.

“Is it a risk if you go to Ferrari? Well I don’t see it’s a risk considering where they are at Mercedes at the present time. There’s a risk if you hang on that you may miss that window and they don’t improve anyway.”

He continued: “Is it somewhere where if you’re still hungry enough and you had that fire burning in your belly would you jump ship? I think yes, I don’t see any reason why it wouldn’t.

“As long as Fred Vasseur and the rest of the board at Ferrari, a little bit when he was at Mercedes and Niki [Lauda] and Ross [Brawn] said ‘we are doing this, we are doing that’, that’s exactly what they delivered. They delivered on what they told Lewis, can Ferrari give him the same positive feedback.”

Herbert hosts the brand new ‘Lifts the Lid’ podcast alongside Billy Monger.

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