Ralf Schumacher on Ferrari star Lewis Hamilton: “This has to stop at last”

Seven-time Formula 1 champion Lewis Hamilton squandered his chances of a podium finish at the Singapore Grand Prix. The 41-year-old Englishman disregarded instructions from the Ferrari pit wall during the Singapore GP. A mistake, as he himself admitted afterwards.

And this is what happened at the night-time Grand Prix: during a virtual safety car period at the Singapore Grand Prix, Ferrari did the only strategically correct thing and immediately called both drivers into the pits for fresh tyres.

The Italians’ plan: with fresh tyres, perhaps make life difficult for the leader, Max Verstappen, but certainly secure second and third places for Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton.

But the Briton went his own way during the Singapore night race. He ignored Ferrari’s instructions and stayed on the track. He believed his tyres were in such consistent condition that he could see out the race without another pit stop.

The result: with his tyres deteriorating, the seven-time world champion became easy prey for Antonelli, Norris and Piastri, who all finished ahead of him; in the end, the Briton could only manage P6.

Topic of the week

Topic of the week: MotoGP’s new schedule proved highly controversial

In 2027, MotoGP will also enter the 850cc era with a new schedule. It was not so much the changes themselves as the way the decisions were reached that caused a stir. A prime example of: ‘Talking helps’.

Read More

TV Program

Tomorrow

Austin: 1. Freies Training

FIA Formula One World Championship

23.10.2026 - 19:25

After the race, Hamilton admitted his mistake and immediately apologised to the team.

Long-serving Formula 1 driver Ralf Schumacher (51) said on Sky’s ‘Backstage Boxengasse’ podcast: ‘I think things aren’t quite running smoothly between him and the team at the moment; there’s a bit of internal strife going on. There are turf wars. You always get the slight impression – here’s Lewis, and somewhere over there is the team.”

According to Schumacher, this has to stop: “Lewis needs to become part of the team again. It seems to me he’s trying to outshine everyone and be the boss. I get the feeling that things aren’t running smoothly or harmoniously with team principal Fred Vasseur either.”