Former F1 driver calls on Ferrari to discipline Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc over…read more
Former Formula 1 driver Ralf Schumacher has called on Ferrari to address the behavior of their drivers, Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc, following a challenging start to the 2025 F1 season. After a disappointing performance in the Australian Grand Prix, where Ferrari only managed to secure five championship points, Schumacher believes the team needs to take action regarding the attitudes of their drivers.
Ferrari’s weekend in Australia was filled with struggles. During qualifying, both drivers found themselves further down the grid, which set the tone for the race. The difficulties continued on race day as Hamilton, in particular, had a tough time making progress, and his radio messages were broadcast live, showing frustration and tension. Similarly, Leclerc had a humorous but somewhat tense exchange with his race engineer, which also caught the attention of viewers.
Despite Hamilton’s reassurances that there were no issues with his new engineer, Riccardo Adami, and his focus on more extreme examples elsewhere on the grid, Schumacher was critical of the drivers’ attitudes, especially in front of the public. He emphasized that both Hamilton and Leclerc seemed agitated on the radio, which was not ideal for a team that was already dealing with performance challenges.
In a podcast with Sky Sports Deutschland, Schumacher suggested that Ferrari’s team principal should step in to address the situation. “It was like that with both of them,” Schumacher said, referring to the frustration displayed by both Hamilton and Leclerc. “Not only Hamilton but also Charles Leclerc was relatively stroppy on the radio.” He went on to say that if he were in charge, he would call both drivers into his office and give them a “rap on the knuckles.” Schumacher emphasized that the entire team works hard to support the drivers, and any display of frustration that undermines the collective effort isn’t acceptable. He acknowledged that it’s normal for drivers to have moments of frustration, but how they communicate it, especially publicly, needs to be handled better.
Schumacher also expressed concern over Hamilton’s struggles to adapt to his new Ferrari team. The seven-time world champion had endured a tough few seasons with Mercedes before making the switch to Ferrari. While he secured two victories in his final year with Mercedes, including a win at Silverstone, Hamilton has found it difficult to match his past performances with his new team. Schumacher noted that Hamilton is likely frustrated with his inability to make a significant difference on track, particularly when comparing his performance to that of his teammate. He pointed out that Hamilton, who has been known for his consistency and dominance, might be struggling to understand why he isn’t significantly faster than Leclerc, which has led to internal frustration.
Schumacher also reflected on Hamilton’s emotional reaction after his win at Silverstone in 2024, suggesting that the win was a moment of relief for the driver, who was battling with self-doubt. He added that Hamilton is struggling with himself, trying to figure out why he isn’t performing at the level he expects. Schumacher’s remarks seemed to convey that this frustration, coupled with public radio exchanges, isn’t a good look for a driver of Hamilton’s caliber. He referenced other top drivers, such as Max Verstappen and Lando Norris, who typically maintain better composure during tough moments, implying that a seven-time world champion should have more self-control and leadership in these situations.
In summary, Ralf Schumacher believes that Ferrari must take steps to manage the attitudes and behavior of both Hamilton and Leclerc. While frustration is natural in racing, he stresses that the way it’s communicated, especially to the team and the public, is crucial for maintaining a positive atmosphere and teamwork within the Scuderia.
