Ralf Schumacher has echoed Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur's assessment that Lewis Hamilton is being overly self-critical and too harsh in his judgments amidst a challenging start to his Ferrari tenure.
Why it matters:
Hamilton's struggles and his public comments have created tension, drawing attention to the adaptation period for a seven-time world champion joining a new team with a distinct philosophy. His performance impacts not only Ferrari but also the wider F1 narrative.
The context:
- Hamilton has scored only 109 points after 14 races, with his sole podium being a sprint win in China.
- His recent remarks, particularly in Hungary, prompted Vasseur to describe him as "overly self-critical" and "excessively harsh."
- Vasseur admitted underestimating the adaptation time Hamilton would need transitioning from Mercedes' radically different culture.
Schumacher's take:
The former F1 driver remarked on Sky Sports' "Backstage Boxengasse" podcast that Hamilton's slow start was "predictable" due to the current lack of testing. He expressed disappointment that Hamilton's struggles are affecting F1's global appeal, wishing for a different outcome.
Vasseur's view echoed:
Schumacher explicitly agreed with Vasseur, stating that Hamilton is "handling it the wrong way." He criticized Hamilton's inconsistent messaging, referencing early season rumors of retirement followed by defiant statements, only for the situation to remain unchanged. Schumacher suggested such behavior would be "too much" for a team boss to handle.