The long-awaited move of Lewis Hamilton to Ferrari in 2025 Formula 1 season would have been one out of the book- the seven-time world champion finally wearing the red overalls. Rather, his debut races with the Scuderia have been characterized by disappointment, friction and increasing suspicion. Among the most vocal detractors up to this point is Ralf Schumacher who has openly criticized Hamilton on how he approached the situation as well as whether or not he is capable of adjusting at this point in his career.

Averting his eyes, Hamilton, on the Hungarian Grand Prix weekend, said publicly that he was useless and insinuated that Ferrari could do better with a different driver in his position. Such remarks seemed to most people too dramatic of a character of a driver of his experience. Ralf Schumacher was not holding back an answer though. According to him, however, speaking to Bild, Hamilton was being theatrical, as his criticising of the team and expressing doubts only stimulates negativity. As Schumacher observed: he has been quarrelling with the car, complaining of the team and allowing his emotions to rule him. There is no use in that.”

However, Schumacher did not merely criticize the state of mind of Hamilton, but there was more to it. He hinted that the efforts of Hamilton could be related to his maturity and flexibility. By the age of 40 Schumacher has contended, a seven-time world champion no longer has the same latitude as to be able to adapt his driving style to a car that appears distinctly better suited to Charles Leclerc. The automaker constructs a car to suit Leclerc and Hamilton does not appear comfortable in the car, Schumacher explained. It is possible that he is old to learn.”

Fred Vasseur, the team principal of Ferrari, acknowledged that the team and Hamilton were possibly unaware of the extent to how challenging the transition can be. So handling peculiarities of the SF-25 seem to suit exactly to Leclerc and Hamilton has been unable to achieve similar balance and assurance. The table must be read like a novel: Leclerc leads the pack comfortably in the standings, whereas Hamilton, ranked sixth overall has failed to post the kind of results that Ferrari would have anticipated in signing the former.

Hamilton has had an unspectacular start to his season so far consistent poor qualifying comparing to his teammate, three non-Q3s in the first four races and his best result of second place was due to the last place finish of his opponent on the final lap. His one ray of sunshine, a sprint race win in china, appears more of a one off win rather than an indication of progress.

To the critics such as Schumacher, these findings leave Hamilton with some hard questions to answer concerning his future. In his own football podcast, the former driver hinted that given the circumstances, it may be possible by the time the contract with Ferrari expires, Hamilton may not finish it. And Schumacher could envisage that: saying, If it is going like this and he is not enjoying it then I can definitely imagine him walking away. These sentiments have also been voiced by other pundits and they hold that unending frustration might lead Hamilton to retire earlier than he would have wished.

It is also a finicky situation in the view of Ferrari. They do not have the luxury of losing one of the most marketable and successful drivers in the F1 and at the same time they require results. Such balance necessitates a two-pronged solution: on one hand the team will have to accommodate the car as far as possible so that it may accommodate the conditions of a Hamilton, and on the other hand the driver himself needs to find some solution to getting his equilibrium back and not falling out in a fit of temper in front of a television camera which, logistically, will sweep the room.

In the end, the troubles of Hamilton in red are beyond issues relating to set up and termed as luck as now it is a test on his strength, flexibility and capability to counter criticism. The caustic comments of Ralf Schumacher might have smarted but they also express an increasing feeling that the Ferrari era of his career is becoming one of the most tormented of his life. Getting it back would be further proof of his legendary status should he be able to do so. Otherwise, it would be yet another uncharacteristic slip up in an otherwise scintillating Formula 1 career.

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