Ralf Schumacher criticizes Hamilton's 'resigned' 2025 attitude

Ralf Schumacher has expressed disappointment in Lewis Hamilton's mindset during his difficult 2025 season, criticizing the seven-time champion's 'resigned' demeanor. The former F1 driver stated he expected more mental fortitude from someone of Hamilton's stature, who endured a winless and podium-less year in his debut season with Ferrari.

Why it matters:

Hamilton's mental strength has long been considered one of his greatest assets, a key component of his record-breaking seven world titles. Schumacher's criticism directly challenges this narrative and adds a new layer of pressure on Hamilton as he heads into a pivotal 2026 season, where he must prove he can still compete at the highest level and bounce back from a career-low year.

The details:

• A season to forget: 2025 was the first time in Hamilton's career since his 2007 debut that he failed to score a single Grand Prix podium. His sole victory came in the Sprint race in China.
• Teammate struggle: Hamilton was consistently outperformed by his Ferrari teammate, Charles Leclerc, highlighting his adaptation struggles with the team.
• Qualifying woes: The Briton's form slump was particularly evident in qualifying, where he failed to progress beyond Q1 in the final three rounds of the season.
• Schumacher's critique: Ralf Schumacher was direct in his assessment, telling F1-Insider, "What disappoints me is how he's handled his problems. This back and forth, this sense of being resigned. I expect more from someone of his stature."

What's next:

Despite the tough season and external criticism, Hamilton remains optimistic about his future with Ferrari. He is determined to revitalize his career in 2026 and has stated there are "many firsts" to look forward to, suggesting he believes the best is yet to come with the Scuderia. The upcoming season will be a true test of his ability to rediscover his winning form and answer his critics.