Schumacher urges Hamilton to work more closely with Ferrari

Ralf Schumacher has urged Lewis Hamilton to work more closely with Ferrari after Hamilton stayed out when the team called him in during the Singapore Grand Prix. Hamilton continued on older tyres while rivals had fresher rubber and finished sixth.

Schumacher called the decision a wrong gamble that cost Hamilton important positions. He suggested Kimi Antonelli benefited from the lost places and Lando Norris to a lesser extent. He contrasted the Singapore decision with Malaysia, where, he recalled, Hamilton wanted different tyres but accepted the team's choice not to switch. Hamilton had already taken responsibility in Singapore for going against Ferrari's strategic call.

Schumacher also said Ferrari had strong potential but made occasional small strategic mistakes. He said he felt Hamilton was trying to put himself above others and take charge, and sensed that things were not running smoothly between Hamilton and team principal Vasseur. Schumacher added that he did not know whether Hamilton spoke directly with others about the changes he wanted.