'Not fast enough' - Lewis Hamilton given brutal Ferrari verdict

Ralf Schumacher has delivered a brutal Lewis Hamilton assessment as internal tensions continue to simmer at Ferrari.

The 41-year-old Hamilton is currently 12 points ahead of his Maranello team-mate Charles Leclerc in the Drivers' standings, but has been beaten by the Monegasque in eight of the last 12 races.

The rivalry between the pair once again boiled over after an angry clash on track at the Mexican Grand Prix ruined the Scuderia's victory bid.

That left Hamilton once again bemoaning the lack of rules of engagement for Ferrari's drivers, and led to crisis talks between the pair ahead of last weekend's Brazilian Grand Prix.

Many experts believe Ferrari cannot have two number one drivers, and that they must make a clear decision on who to back. According to Schumacher - speaking to Sky Sports Germany - this is the crux of the issue with Hamilton himself indirectly to blame.

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Hamilton indirectly to blame for Leclerc tensions - Schumacher

“The problem is that he [Hamilton] is simply not fast enough compared to Leclerc. If he were clearly better than his team-mate, like my brother [Michael] was back then, this discussion wouldn’t even exist. He is the one causing it.”

Schumacher believes if Hamilton really wants to be the unquestioned number one inside Maranello, there is one simple solution and it is very much in the seven-time world champion's control.

“Always make sure you’re ahead! Be a second or half a second faster than Leclerc! Win every race or at least finish ahead of him! It’s that simple.”

Schumacher also questioned where Hamilton's level lies right now, also adding the context of his past struggles against George Russell at Mercedes and Russell's subsequent struggles against newly-crowned world champion Kimi Antonelli.

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“I’m no longer sure who is stronger at what level. Seeing how Hamilton compares to Russell, and how Russell compares to Antonelli, you have to wonder: how good is Hamilton really anymore?

“And conversely: how good is Leclerc? Are they both still world championship material?”

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