Schumacher: Hamilton's Ferrari Challenge Rooted in Pressure, Not Age

Ralf Schumacher, former F1 driver and current analyst, believes Lewis Hamilton's recent struggles are due to immense self-imposed pressure, not his age. This assessment raises questions about Hamilton's future, especially ahead of his highly anticipated move to Ferrari.

Why it matters

Lewis Hamilton has endured another challenging F1 weekend, notably crashing out of the Dutch Grand Prix. Schumacher described this as a 'tragic' sight, emphasizing that Hamilton's issues are not a symptom of aging but rather a self-originated problem of pressure.

The details

Hamilton's difficult weekend at Zandvoort saw him crash during the Dutch Grand Prix. Earlier in the race, he had urged his team to consider an undercut to gain positions, to which Ferrari responded affirmatively. Speaking on Sky after the race, Schumacher admitted his confusion over Hamilton's current error-prone form.

• "I'm slowly getting a bit at a loss, because he can do it on the one hand, but is apparently under immense pressure, puts himself under pressure."
• Schumacher believes that while Hamilton's raw speed is still present, too many other factors are impacting his performance.

What's next

Schumacher highlighted the urgency of the situation, particularly given Hamilton's impending transfer to Ferrari. He questioned how Hamilton would be advised to proceed if these issues persist.

• "[It is] tragic at the moment to see him like this. Although the speed is still there, but there's just too much happening around it."
• "If something doesn't happen soon, I don't know how he would be better advised, to continue there or whatever."

Schumacher's comments underscore the growing concern around Hamilton's current form and its potential implications for his highly anticipated move to the Scuderia.