Lewis Hamilton responds to critics after tough first season at Ferrari

Lewis Hamilton, aft a disappointing archetypal play astatine Ferrari, decided to straight respond to the disapproval that was piling up during 2025. Without a azygous podium and with a important spread down teammate Charles Leclerc, the play near galore questions astir however rapidly and to what grade the practice with Ferrari tin nutrient the desired results. It is successful this discourse that his statement, which attracted a batch of attraction successful the paddock, should beryllium viewed.

After arriving astatine Ferrari, the expectations were huge. The operation of 1 of the astir trophy-winning drivers successful past and a renowned squad automatically carried the presumption of a combat for the top. However, the world of the 2025 play was overmuch much complex. Hamilton finished the play 86 points down Leclerc, and portion of the public, including erstwhile drivers, did not spare criticism. Among them was Ralf Schumacher, portion erstwhile satellite champion Nico Rosberg went a measurement further, claiming that Ferrari's play had near a "scratch" connected Hamilton's legacy.

When asked astir specified comments, Hamilton made it clear: "I'm not going to accidental thing to them. None of them person done what I've done. They're obscurity adjacent my level."

Ralf Schumacher reacts

Those words resonated strongly, and Ralf Schumacher reflected connected them successful an interrogation with Sport1. "His connection that lone radical who person ne'er been arsenic palmy arsenic him knock him is absorbing to me. Basically, helium is close - but a small much self-reflection would inactive bash him good," said the German.

The 2026 play present looms arsenic a important 1 for some actors. With the extremity of the epoch of crushed effect, the method rules are changing - the caller cars volition beryllium smaller and lighter, with progressive aerodynamics and powertrains that evenly stock powerfulness betwixt energy and biofuel. However, Schumacher warns: "The car is getting much nervous. Leclerc tin grip it, portion Hamilton needs stableness astatine the backmost end."

The archetypal answers are expected already astatine the tests successful Barcelona from January 26 to 30, followed by 2 much nationalist tests successful Bahrain successful February, earlier the play opener astatine the Australian Grand Prix connected March 8. Ferrari volition contiguous its 2026 car, the SF-26, connected January 23. For Hamilton, it volition not beryllium conscionable a method presentation, but an accidental to corroborate his connection connected the way - that, contempt the criticism, helium inactive stands astatine the level that marked his career.