Ralf Schumacher has questioned Lewis Hamilton’s relationship with Ferrari’s leadership after a strategic disagreement contributed to the seven-time world champion missing out on a potential podium finish at the Singapore Grand Prix.
The Sky pundit believes tensions are emerging within the Scuderia, suggesting Hamilton is struggling to settle into the team and may be attempting to exert too much influence over its operations.
“I think things aren’t going quite smoothly between him and the team; there’s a bit of an internal power struggle going on. There’s a bit of infighting going on,” the 51-year-old said on Sky’s Backstage Pit Lane podcast.
Hamilton’s Singapore strategy call backfires
Hamilton appeared on course for a strong result in Singapore, running second with just over 15 laps remaining as the Virtual Safety Car created an opportunity for teams to reconsider their strategies.
However, the Ferrari driver opted against pitting despite concerns over tyre degradation. The decision proved costly as his tyres deteriorated, forcing him to settle for sixth place by the chequered flag.
Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc, meanwhile, secured second behind Max Verstappen, highlighting what Hamilton might have achieved had the team made different strategic choices.
The outcome prompted questions about the communication between Hamilton and Ferrari’s strategists, particularly when the Virtual Safety Car presented an opportunity to protect his position.
Schumacher questions Hamilton’s influence at Ferrari
Schumacher believes the incident reflects wider issues in Hamilton’s integration into the Italian team, arguing that the Briton needs to work more closely with Ferrari rather than attempt to dictate proceedings.
“Lewis needs to become part of the team. He’s trying to overshadow everything and be the boss,” Schumacher said.
The former Formula 1 driver also questioned whether Hamilton enjoys a completely harmonious relationship with team principal Fred Vasseur.
He added: “We asked both drivers. Lewis didn’t want to come into the pits. That was probably a mistake. Otherwise, we would likely have finished second and third. He subsequently apologized to the strategists.”
Vasseur’s explanation suggests Ferrari gave Hamilton the opportunity to express his preference before the decision was made. However, the team ultimately lost a potential opportunity to secure a double podium, leaving questions about how the strategy discussion unfolded.
While Schumacher’s comments point towards possible friction, there is no independent confirmation that an internal power struggle exists between Hamilton and Ferrari’s senior figures.
Hamilton accepts responsibility after painful setback
Hamilton acknowledged that the Singapore result was disappointing, describing the experience as a “painful lesson” and taking “full responsibility” for the outcome.
The 41-year-old’s admission indicates that he recognises the consequences of the decision, even as questions remain about Ferrari’s wider strategic processes.
Despite the missed opportunity, Schumacher was keen to acknowledge Hamilton’s underlying performance. He suggested that the Briton had performed well given the characteristics of the Marina Bay street circuit and Leclerc’s apparent strength on that type of track.
“Considering that his teammate Charles Leclerc loves street circuits, Lewis Hamilton did a strong job,” Schumacher said.
That assessment offers a more balanced view of Hamilton’s weekend, separating his overall pace from the strategic decision that ultimately compromised his result.
Ferrari faces fresh questions ahead of Austin
Hamilton and Ferrari will have an opportunity to respond at the United States Grand Prix in Austin, the next event on their schedule.
For Hamilton, the priority will be converting competitive pace into a stronger result while continuing to build his relationship with Ferrari’s engineers and strategists.
Schumacher’s remarks have added another layer to the scrutiny surrounding Hamilton’s position at the Scuderia. However, whether the Singapore incident points to deeper disagreements or was simply a strategic misjudgment remains unclear.
Ferrari’s ability to make collective decisions under pressure could prove just as important as outright performance as the season continues.
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The Judge, a nom de plume of an experienced F1 journalist and site founder with long-standing sources across the paddock. With over 30 years of experience in Formula 1 as an insider journalist, I have built trusted connections across the paddock, from race engineers and mechanics to senior team figures. At The Judge 13, I and a handful of trusted colleagues share exclusive Formula 1 news, expert analysis and behind-the-scenes stories you will not find in mainstream motorsport media.
