Ferrari’s decision to keep team principal Fred Vasseur could be one that sees Lewis Hamilton leapfrog Michael Schumacher as the greatest of all time.Don’t just take our word for it, but instead that of Schumacher’s racer brother Ralf, who has drawn parallels between Formula 1’s biggest news story and what his sibling did 27 years ago.Hamilton has managed to convince Ferrari to keep his man on boardAFPSchumacher had a near-identical experience in red and went on to become a record championAFPVasseur’s new multi-year deal was announced ahead of the Hungarian Grand Prix, putting rumours about his future to bed as his contract was expiring in December.Various reports back in Italy have claimed that not all of Ferrari’s executives are overly pleased with the Frenchman’s management since 2023.Yet one person very much is – Hamilton – and that’s not the only thing that may have influenced the team’s decision.Ralf Schumacher drew parallels between 2025 and 1998 when his legendary sibling found himself in a near identical decision to Hamilton today.Michael had been taken over to Ferrari by French team principal Jean Todt, and was publicly backing him amid reports of a sacking, just like Hamilton has been doing with Vasseur.Ralf has now revealed more information about that team conflict, expressing how serious things got, with Ferrari impatient about getting back to the top, just as they are today.“I know that Michael told Ferrari back then that without Todt, he would also leave Ferrari,” the six-time race winner said. “That was in 1998. If the bosses hadn’t listened to him back then, Formula 1 history would be different today.”Michael went on to win five-straight titles with Ferrari from 2000 to 2004, making it seven overall and him by far the most successful driver in F1 history until Hamilton matched him.It also showed that a previously stubborn Scuderia are now more likely to listen to their drivers, with Hamilton’s influence clear for all to see.Hamilton has had Vasseur’s back all season while the team struggledAFPHamilton has made clear a Vasseur sacking would be against his wishes, just as Schumacher did before his glory eraBacking Vasseur amid sacking reports at the start of June, the former Mercedes and McLaren man said: “Firstly, I love working with Fred, Fred’s the main reason I’m in this team and got the option to be here, which I’m forever grateful for.“We’re in this together, we’re working hard in the background, things aren’t perfect but for me, as I said, I’m here to work with the team but also with Fred.“I want Fred here, I do believe Fred is the person to take us to the top, so that’s that. It’s nonsense, what people have written, most people don’t know what’s going on in the background, and it isn’t all easy, it’s not the smoothest sailing in the background.“We are having to make changes and it’s a lot of work to do, and there is naturally a lot of pressure because we want to win, but that’s not any part of the discussion at the moment.”Ferrari were somewhat of a dictatorship during their first glory years under the legendary Enzo Ferrari, but that all changed with Schumacher’s intervention which Hamilton could now be benefiting from.Things haven’t started off brilliantly for the 40-year-old in Italy as he’s yet to record a podium in 13 races, but Ralf thinks continuity is of utmost importance ahead of huge rule changes next year that Ferrari could exploit.F1's radical 2026 rule changesAudi and Cadillac will be joining the grid due to these new regulationsMore agile cars, which are 30kg lighter and thus better able to battle on trackA redesigned power unit featuring increased battery power and an even split between internal combustion engine and electric power plus the use of 100% sustainable fuelsActive aerodynamics in the form of moveable front and rear wings to allow for closer racingIncreased overtaking opportunities through the introduction of a new system that gives drivers a short burst of additional battery power when within one second of the car in frontImproved safety through stronger structures and even tougher testsCommitment from a record number of six power unit manufacturersFurther discussing Vasseur’s extension, the Sky Germany pundit said: “Anything else would have been fatal. “Vasseur has set the right course, and one can see a clear vision for the future at Ferrari. “Fortunately, they’re now giving him the time he needs.”