Lewis Hamilton told to listen to Max Verstappen’s radio messages if he wants to inspire Ferrari

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Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton is at a crossroads in his Formula 1 career, but has been told by take inspiration from Red Bull rival Max Verstappen to avoid further questions being asked about his racing future.

For the first time in his F1 career, Lewis Hamilton failed to secure a Grand Prix podium during his maiden campaign with Ferrari.

He finished 267 points behind drivers’ champions Lando Norris after failing to finish above P8 in any of his last five races.

Team principal Fred Vasseur wants Hamilton and Charles Leclerc to be harsh about Ferrari’s development, but there’s only so long that both drivers can ask for the team to make progress without seeing any evidence of those steps being taken.

John Elkann targeted Hamilton and Leclerc after the Sao Paulo Grand Prix for their negativity towards the team, and Robert Doornbos and broadcaster Chris McHardy have had their say about the situation at Ferrari.

Doornbos believes that Hamilton must listen to what Max Verstappen is doing to motivate Red Bull if he wants to get Ferrari back on track.

READ MORE: Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton’s life outside F1 from net worth to family

Lewis Hamilton must listen to how Max Verstappen motivates Red Bull – Doornbos

The former Dutch F1 driver was speaking on The Pit Talk podcast about Hamilton and said: “They gave up on this car in April already. Frederic Vasseur said in April, done. This is not going to be our season.

“And he just signed a seven-time world champion, one of the all-time greats.

“As far back as April, they already abandoned ship. So, therefore, I truly don’t understand the remarks of Lewis Hamilton saying, I don’t look forward to 2026.

“You should just motivate the team and say, guys, done and dusted, 2026 is going to be our year.”

Doornbos then spoke about the difference between Hamilton and Verstappen’s communications and said: “The mechanics, your engineers, your team. I mean, the radio, the communication with his engineer, was the worst of all driver-engineer partnerships out there. Just no chemistry.

“Come on, motivate the team. There’s not much you can do. We know you had a terrible season, but at least motivate the guys so that they as go into the off-season.

“But look at what happened at Red Bull. Also, Max motivates the team. Thanks the guys always on the radio.

“Even when it goes to s—, he also lets them know he’s not happy. Of course. But this way, you will not motivate the team.”

READ MORE: Red Bull driver Max Verstappen’s life outside F1 from net worth to girlfriend

Lewis Hamilton’s worrying media pen behaviour after congratulating Lando Norris

McHardy was among the journalists who spoke to Hamilton after the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

Reflecting on his experience, he said: “I was in the media pen with Lewis, and I know it’s gone viral.

“He gave Lando a big cuddle, but I’ve got to say, that little snapshot when he circled round to us. My goodness me.

“To say he was flat would be an understatement. One and two-word answers again. One of the journalists asked for his words on Lando. ‘Congrats’, to the point.

“Another journalist said, Lewis, a fellow Brit, has just won the world championship. We need a bit more from you.

“And he said, ‘Listen, congratulations. He deserves it.’ He expanded a little bit, not much. He said he just wants to get out of here.”

Hamilton was very positive on the team radio when he thanked Ferrari for their work during his first season with the team.

However, more often than not, he and Leclerc have had very little to be happy about, given the team’s lofty expectations.

Vasseur and Lois Serra have the opportunity to lead Ferrari in a direction over the winter break where their drivers can be less critical, but Verstappen’s constructive feedback style might be the way to go for Hamilton in the future.