Lewis Hamilton has endured a difficult start to life at Ferrari, with the veteran yet to display his best form during the current F1 season.
And Michael Schumacher's brother, Ralf Schumacher, thinks he no longer has the benefit of 'special protection' amid his inconsistent displays.
When Hamilton joined Ferrari, he was widely expected to hit the ground running.
Yet the 40-year-old currently sits seventh in the standings, with the likes of Oscar Piastri, Lando Norris, Max Verstappen, George Russell, Charles Leclerc and Andrea Kimi Antonelli all ahead of him.
Lewis Hamilton has endured a difficult start to life at Ferrari, with the veteran yet to display his best form during the current F1 season
REUTERS
Barring a sprint race in China, Hamilton has underwhelmed on the grid.
And Schumacher, speaking to German newspaper BILD, has now criticised the veteran - while also suggesting he's lost the 'special protection' he once enjoyed at Mercedes.
“You can see how much the situation is weighing on him,” Schumacher said.
“When you feel you’re stuck as a driver, anything can happen.
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“The Italians are merciless in that respect [being ruthless behind the scenes].
“At Mercedes, Hamilton was under special protection – that’s no longer the case at Ferrari.”
Schumacher also suggested that Ferrari's woes were having an impact on Fred Vasseur.
He continued: “Fred Vasseur shows how serious things are there. He used to always have a light-hearted joke.
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Ralf Schumacher has criticised Lewis Hamilton amid his poor form at Ferrari
PA"But now he’s lost his sense of humour."
Hamilton, last time out in Saudi Arabia, could only finish seventh as Piastri won the event in the Middle East.
And he set alarm bells off after that underwhelming display, suggesting that Ferrari's issues were likely to last.
"Nothing positive to take, except for Charles finishing on the podium, which is great for the team," he stated.
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"It was horrible, not enjoyable at all. I was just sliding around. I didn't have grip.
"First stint, massive understeer, car not turning and then massive deg.
"The second stint, slightly better balance but still just no pace. Pretty bad.
"At the moment there's no fix. So, this is how it's going to be for the rest of the year. It's going to be painful."
Lewis Hamilton sits seventh in the F1 standings ahead of this weekend's Miami Grand Prix
REUTERS
The next Grand Prix will take place in Miami on Sunday (9pm).
Verstappen won the event in 2022 and 2023, with Norris securing glory last year.
