Jock Clear Defends Hamilton's Struggles With Schumacher Comparison
Jock Clear defends Lewis Hamilton's tough 2025 Ferrari debut, citing Michael Schumacher's five-year wait for success at Maranello as proof that F1 dominance isn't instant.
Lewis Hamilton’s debut season with Ferrari in 2025 fell short of expectations, marked by a lack of podiums and a significant gap to teammate Charles Leclerc. However, former Ferrari engineer Jock Clear is defending the seven-time champion, arguing that the struggles are a natural part of the sport's difficulty rather than a sign of decline.
Why it matters:
The narrative surrounding Hamilton’s move to Maranello was centered on an immediate title challenge, but the reality of adapting to a new team is proving complex. Clear’s perspective offers a crucial reality check, reminding the paddock that even legendary drivers like Michael Schumacher required time to build a winning foundation at Ferrari.
The details:
- Schumacher Benchmark: Clear draws a direct parallel to Michael Schumacher, noting it took the German icon five years to win a championship after joining Ferrari in 1996. He emphasizes that F1 is inherently difficult and that instant success would actually devalue the sport.
- The Reality of 2025: Hamilton finished sixth in the Drivers' Championship, trailing Leclerc by 86 points. Clear acknowledges the 41-year-old had a "hard time" coping with the challenge but stresses this is par for the course in top-tier motorsport.
- Sainz Parallel: To illustrate his point, Clear points to Carlos Sainz’s move to Williams. Despite initial expectations to easily beat Alex Albon, Sainz also faced a steep learning curve, reinforcing that success "doesn't happen overnight."
- Hamilton’s Mindset: Clear believes Hamilton’s frustration stems from knowing his own potential, but he predicts a stronger return in 2026. Hamilton recently confirmed he used the off-season to reset and find "inner peace" after an exhausting year.
Looking ahead:
With the 2026 season on the horizon, Hamilton is expected to return with renewed determination. Clear remains confident that the seven-time champion will use the lessons from 2025 to drive the project forward, aiming to turn the frustration into a competitive advantage.