‘Mimimi’ Hamilton Blasted by Ralf Schumacher Over F… read more
Lewis Hamilton’s turbulent start to life at Ferrari has drawn sharp criticism from former Formula 1 driver Ralf Schumacher, who accused the seven-time world champion of creating unnecessary tension within the Maranello-based outfit. Schumacher, speaking on Sky Germany’s Backstage Pitlane podcast, criticised Hamilton’s recent radio comments and his overall attitude, particularly during the Miami Grand Prix, where Ferrari once again struggled to assert dominance on the grid.
During the race in Miami, Hamilton was audibly frustrated over team radio, complaining about the delay in executing team orders that would allow him to pass teammate Charles Leclerc. He sarcastically suggested that engineer Riccardo Adami could “have a tea break” while managing the situation, a jibe that didn’t sit well with team boss Fred Vasseur. When Vasseur approached Hamilton post-race to address the issue, the British driver reportedly told him to “calm down,” an exchange that has only added fuel to the fire during what is already proving to be a difficult season for Ferrari.
Ferrari, currently languishing in fourth place in the constructors’ championship, have managed just one main race podium across six Grand Prix weekends. Meanwhile, Hamilton finds himself seventh in the drivers’ standings—underwhelming by the standards of a driver of his calibre. Despite a sprint race win in China offering a glimmer of promise, his season has largely been characterized by inconsistency and intra-team tension.
Ralf Schumacher did not mince his words in response to Hamilton’s behavior. Using the term “Mimimi,” a German expression that mocks someone for whining or acting irrationally, Schumacher expressed disappointment in how Hamilton handled the situation. “Mimimi Hamilton, that was somehow wrong,” he remarked. “If you really want to overtake, that’s one thing; he was also faster at the time. But then I’ll give it back without a fight, and afterwards, I won’t act as if I meant it sarcastically. Instead, I’ll just say that I’m sorry.”
Schumacher emphasized that Hamilton’s years of experience and status in the sport should have guided him to a more mature response. “That really shouldn’t have happened with his experience and his age,” he added. “He could have acted a bit more cleverly—I think that would have suited him better.”
This is not the first time Ralf Schumacher has publicly scrutinized Hamilton. Earlier in the season, he suggested that the British driver might not see out his Ferrari contract if his form doesn’t improve. Hamilton has been outqualified by Leclerc in five of six races so far and trails his teammate by 12 points in the standings. The disparity in performance has been noticeable, with Leclerc consistently extracting more pace from the car during qualifying and races alike.
The broader concern, as Schumacher pointed out, lies in the potential long-term damage to Hamilton’s relationship with the team. “The people at Ferrari have gotten to know Hamilton a bit internally now,” Schumacher said. “Such actions naturally strain the relationship. This will stick, and he has to recognise that himself.”
Indeed, for a team under significant pressure to return to winning ways, any internal friction is counterproductive. Ferrari’s struggles this season have been evident, and the last thing the team needs is additional controversy stemming from interpersonal issues between drivers and team management.
Hamilton joined Ferrari with much fanfare and expectation, aiming to add an eighth world title with the sport’s most historic team. However, the early results have fallen short of the lofty ambitions, and his actions in recent weeks suggest that frustration is bubbling to the surface. Whether he can rally and align more cohesively with the team remains to be seen, but for now, the criticism from figures like Ralf Schumacher indicates that patience—internally and externally—may be wearing thin.
As the season progresses and the pressure intensifies, all eyes will be on how Hamilton responds—both on the track and in his dealings with the team. His legacy in F1 is already cemented, but the success of his Ferrari chapter is far from assured.
