Ralf Schumacher Says Lewis Hamilton Is Ignoring Him Amid Ferrari Struggles
Sky pundit Ralf Schumacher says Lewis Hamilton is ignoring him in the paddock. The comments come after a season of Schumacher's sharp criticism of Hamilton's deeply underwhelming performance at Ferrari.
Lewis Hamilton's debut season with Ferrari has been a disaster on and off the track, marked by a lack of podiums and a growing rift with Sky pundit Ralf Schumacher. Schumacher, a vocal critic of the seven-time champion's performance, now claims Hamilton deliberately ignores him in the paddock, highlighting the immense pressure surrounding the once-heralded partnership.
Why it matters:
The Hamilton-Ferrari move was supposed to be a historic union, a final shot at glory for both. Instead, it's become a case study in how high expectations can crumble under pressure, with Hamilton's legacy and Ferrari's massive investment on the line. Schumacher's comments, from a former driver and respected analyst, add a layer of personal drama that underscores the severity of the situation beyond just lap times.
The details:
- Hamilton's season has been a stark contrast to his championship-winning past: zero race podiums, with his only victory coming in the Chinese Sprint race. He has been eliminated in Q1 in four of the last five qualifying sessions.
- Schumacher revealed the personal fallout in an interview: "Lewis ignores me in the paddock... We are different types of people."
- The German analyst noted a significant change in Hamilton's demeanor since his early career, observing that he now "often walks through the paddock with a helmet on whenever he can," a sign of deliberate isolation.
- This behavior stands in sharp contrast to his teammate, Charles Leclerc, who Schumacher notes is "always friendly," leading the pundit to conclude, "I have basically zero relationship with Lewis."
What's next:
The future of the Hamilton-Ferrari project remains a major question mark heading into the 2026 season. With the team and driver needing to find a solution, the pressure will only intensify. As for Schumacher, he plans to continue his critical analysis of the partnership, suggesting the public commentary and personal distance are unlikely to change unless results do.