Ralf Schumacher on the Madring practice session: “What Hamilton is doing is unsporting”

Six-time Grand Prix winner Sergio Pérez immediately described the new Madring circuit as dangerous, even before the 22 Formula 1 drivers had completed a single second of practice. Nico Hülkenberg put things into perspective: “It’s a street circuit – fast, demanding, with plenty of blind corners – so you have to build up your confidence step by step in free practice.”

Then, in the first practice session on the €100 million track, this is what happened: not a trace of chaos, a few instances of overbraking, a few harmless brushes with the barriers, but no accidents, no collisions, no drivers ranting on the track.

What conclusions can be drawn at this early stage? Ralf Schumacher (51) watched the action on the treacherous circuit as a Grand Prix expert for our colleagues at German broadcaster Sky. The driver, who has competed in 180 Grand Prix races, notes: “The circuit really is a tough one; that was already evident in Formula 2, where there was a crash straight away. It’s a circuit like Monaco in that the drivers have to carefully feel their way to the limit so they can then get the most out of it in qualifying. In Monte Carlo, too, the track is dirty at the start, just like here; you mustn’t take too many risks.”

“The track is slippery; we have lots of sections where you can’t see ahead – in racing jargon, they’re ‘blind’ sections. On top of that, it’s quite narrow. You can hardly overtake, so the drivers will have to ask themselves how much risk they’re willing to take when making a move.”

“The drivers also have hardly any breaks on this circuit; it’s mentally demanding, and they have to remain fully focused at all times.”

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The six-time Grand Prix winner continues: “We’ve seen plenty of action right from the start in the first practice session, because on a new track, every corner counts as a learning experience. We didn’t have all the sophisticated simulations of today back in our day; that naturally helps modern drivers. But what you can’t simulate very well are all the bumps in the track that you want to feel out – a really important factor for set-up when it comes to ground clearance. What’s more, you only realise the track’s grip level when you’re actually driving; that can’t be simulated.”

“The track layout itself isn’t a problem for a Formula 1 driver. Firstly, as mentioned, they have the simulation, and most GP drivers are quick learners anyway. After ten laps, everyone’s got the hang of it.”

“We’ve seen tyre graining on the left-hand side of some cars; that’s nothing unusual for a new circuit with low grip, because the racing cars are still sliding around a lot. This tendency should ease off as more and more rubber builds up on the track.”

An interim assessment from the 2001 and 2002 World Championship runner-up: “Mercedes are strong, Ferrari are right up there, but it’s only Friday. The Formula 1 drivers clearly had no problems with the track, which is not to be taken for granted when we think back to the turbulent Formula 3 test, with 19 red flags.”

“What struck me in the first practice session was the man in red who seemed to be getting in the way of all his rivals because he often drives down the middle of the track – Lewis Hamilton. I don’t know why he does that so often. It was already noticeable back in 2025. When you’re driving slowly, it’s actually unsporting towards the other drivers.”