Former Formula One driver Johnny Herbert has delivered a damning verdict on Lewis Hamilton's Ferrari struggles, declaring the seven-time world champion appears "lost, really lost" at the Scuderia.
Herbert drew uncomfortable parallels with Michael Schumacher's unsuccessful comeback, suggesting Hamilton's difficulties mirror those of the German legend who "wasn't the same Schumacher as before" when he returned to the sport with Mercedes.
"I don't know if the raw pace that he's always had throughout his career is there anymore," Herbert said of Hamilton's current form.
The British driver's move to Ferrari has failed to deliver the anticipated results.
Lewis Hamilton and Michael Schumacher both had trouble at Ferrari, Johnny Herbert insists
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Herbert's assessment extends beyond mere observation, with the three-time Grand Prix winner stating bluntly that Ferrari "can't rely on Lewis Hamilton at this point."
"I thought, with the pure racing skill Lewis had, he'd be able to drive around any problems with the car but he seems stuck in a hole," Herbert explained.
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The former driver highlighted Hamilton's inability to extract the performance that defined his career.
"The greats of the sport, at their peak, get the best out of their car," Herbert said.
"Max Verstappen is doing it right now.
"Hamilton just can't seem to get the extra he needs anymore."
Herbert added: "It's not the first time we've seen it in the sport, though. Nigel Mansell won his championship in 1992, went to America in 1993, came back in 1994 and it didn't work anymore for him.
"It happened with Michael Schumacher too, when he had his break and came back, then he wasn't the same Schumacher as before."
Hamilton's campaign has been particularly disappointing, with his best finish a fourth place at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix after nine rounds.
The 40-year-old's struggles reached a nadir at the Spanish Grand Prix, where he finished sixth on Sunday.
Hamilton himself admitted the severity of his difficulties, calling it the "worst race I've experienced, balance-wise."
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Lewis Hamilton is still struggling in his Ferrari Reuters Herbert noted that Hamilton "hasn't found his comfort zone since the sprint win in China," highlighting communication issues with his engineer and Ferrari's strategic missteps.
The statistics paint a stark picture, with Hamilton trailing teammate Charles Leclerc by 23 points in the championship standings.
Leclerc's superiority over Hamilton has been evident throughout the season, with the Monegasque driver securing "podium finishes consistently" whilst Hamilton struggles.
In qualifying sessions, including Sprints, Leclerc leads Hamilton 8-3, underlining the performance gap between the teammates.
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GettyHerbert predicted a clear hierarchy at Ferrari going forward. "Leclerc is only going to grow and is in control of Ferrari's future. He's the guy they can rely on," he stated.
The former driver's assessment was unflinching in its finality.
"Ferrari can't rely on Lewis Hamilton at this point. It's horrible to say but it's the truth," Herbert concluded, suggesting the British champion's difficulties may prove insurmountable at Maranello.
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