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Ferrari looked like they had hit the jackpot in 2025 with Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc as their drivers, but their campaign was a complete disappointment.
The Maranello outfit went without a win and finished P4 in the standings, with Hamilton going without a podium for the first time in his career. Leclerc managed to secure seven podiums and a pole position, but ultimately struggled to fight the top three teams.
His teammate’s season was utterly miserable. Hamilton ‘gave up’ at Ferrari as he does not feel integrated in the team, having constantly complained about the car and the team’s operational errors.
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The Brit’s upgrade requests were ignored and his feedback to the team via private documents was not taken on board. Hamilton described his season as a ‘nightmare’ and his worst in F1 to date, and his body language paints a very telling picture.
Hamilton had hoped that a move to Ferrari would be the fresh start he needed after a difficult end to his spell at Mercedes. However, his struggles only got worse, and it has had quite an effect on him in the paddock.
Ralf Schumacher has ‘zero relationship’ with Lewis Hamilton in the paddock, while Charles Leclerc is ‘friendly’
Hamilton’s body language is ‘completely different’ in the paddock since his move to Ferrari. He has often been seen covering his face and avoiding photographers.
Hamilton has a similar trait to Michael Schumacher in the paddock, in that they have a ‘very suspicious’ stance on being photographed and approached. Brother Ralf Schumacher says the seven-time champion ignores him in the paddock, while his Ferrari teammate is completely different.
Asked if he talks to Hamilton in the paddock, Schumacher told F1-Insider: “No, Lewis ignores me in the paddock. But that’s OK.
“The thing is, we’re different types of people. I met him for the first time back then, and he had just started Formula 1.
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“We were still at the evening party at Lawrence Stroll’s private home. So Michael had us, yours truly, and Lewis was there too, and it was a very nice dinner.
“At that time, Lewis was new to Formula 1, of course, and everything was still very different, and Formula 1 does something to people. That’s just how it is.
“Lewis was under a lot of pressure from all sides, of course, and a lot to do from outside. That means he’s been walking around the paddock with his helmet on for quite a while now, whenever he can.
“That’s why he’s a different guy. Yes, that’s why I say, someone like a Charles Leclerc, he looks to the right, looks to the left and is friendly. So I actually have zero relationship with Lewis Hamilton, to be completely honest.”
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Ralf Schumacher has been heavily critical of Lewis Hamilton’s first season at Ferrari
Hamilton’s first year with the prancing horse did not go to plan whatsoever, with him being left with more questions than answers about Ferrari’s operation. He has not performed in the car, and Schumacher has been one of his most vocal critics.
Schumacher feels Hamilton’s ‘driving style’ will cost him and deny him another championship. He thinks his inability to adapt to his surroundings and machinery has not helped Ferrari, and it could be what hinders him in 2026.
Next season could be make-or-break for both parties, as the 40-year-old’s contract is up in 2026. Schumacher thinks Ferrari should replace Hamilton immediately, with Oliver Bearman being his ideal successor.
It seems that the Maranello outfit are intent on doing just that. Hamilton is on his ‘last chance’ at Ferrari in 2026, with Bearman being prepared for 2027.
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