‘Schumacher Wouldn’t Do That,’ Ferrari Icon Slams Lewis Hamilton’s Demotivating Rant at Hungarian GP

Jean Alesi slammed Lewis Hamilton’s self-criticism in Hungary, noting Michael Schumacher never showed such negativity.

‘Schumacher Wouldn’t Do That,’ Ferrari Icon Slams Lewis Hamilton’s Demotivating Rant at Hungarian GP

Lewis Hamilton (via Getty), Michael Schumacher (in circle, via Crash)

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Lewis Hamilton suffered from extremely disappointing circumstances at the Hungarian GP. The Briton couldn’t achieve a good enough start to the race and ultimately finished in P12. As such, Hamilton wasn’t too excited with his performance and put forth a self-depreciating rant, which many were surprised to hear. Now, ex-Ferrari driver Jean Alesi hits back at the 40-year-old’s negative behavior at the Hungarian GP amid the team’s already difficult phase.

Ferrari is the most iconic team in Formula 1 history, and many legendary drivers have driven for the outfit in the past. While the performance struggles this year aren’t limited to Lewis Hamilton, drivers such as Michael Schumacher and Ayrton Senna also faced a fair share of their issues. However, Jean Alesi draws a comparison between Hamilton and Schumacher-Senna and how they handled pressure back then.

Lewis Hamilton’s self-depreciating comments at the Hungarian GP have been met with a lot of mixed opinions. Many believe that the 40-year-old is managing expectations and staying true to himself. Meanwhile, people, including Jean Alesi, point out that Hamilton’s comments are only demotivating Ferrari as a team.

Jean Alesi didn’t mince his words and declared that ex-Ferrari legends, especially Michael Schumacher or Ayrton Senna, would never comment so poorly on themselves. Alesi reckoned that the crew was demotivated because of such comments, which did not help anyone. However, it is important to note that Hamilton is just as much of a legend as Senna and Schumacher were back in their days. As such, the seven-time champion will give it his all to come out of the performance slump and start speaking much highly of the team.

I think Hamilton’s attitude demoralizes the people working around him. Senna or Schumacher would have never said anything like that.

Jean Alesi wrote for Corriere dello Sport in his ‘Pit Stop’ column

Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari’s Hungarian GP outing an ‘Italian comedy’

Ferrari’s strategic mistakes, coupled with issues in Charles Leclerc‘s chassis, caused him to lose the race and finish in P4 despite starting the race on pole position. While Leclerc still scored some good points, Lewis Hamilton was on the back foot the entire race and failed to score a single point. As such, Jean Alesi criticized the Italian constructor and their blunders at the Hungarian GP weekend.

Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc (via Getty)
Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc (via Getty)

Jean Alesi recalled that the weekend looked like an Italian comedy as Ferrari’s performance was nothing short of a ‘horror’ film. Alesi noted that George Russell pointed out the issues in Leclerc’s car as the team seemed unaware of the problems at first. The 61-year-old insisted that an SF-25 challenger that worked well on Saturday Qualifying and performed poorly on Sunday infuriated the people who loved the Prancing Horse.

It looked like an Italian comedy, it became a horror film, The reason was revealed by Russell after observing Leclerc’s car on the track. A Ferrari that runs on Saturday and then doesn’t work on Sunday is what infuriates those who love the Prancing Horse the most.

Jean Alesi noted

Ferrari will hope to learn from their massive mistakes at the Hungarian GP and bounce back stronger in the remaining races after the summer break. For now, Lewis Hamilton will enjoy the break and hold back some emotional feelings from Formula 1. The Briton’s priority has already been shifted from the 2025 season to the upcoming season as he hopes to return as a winning force by then.

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