Webber shows a lack of distance and maturity as Piastri's manager.

      "An emerging driver like Piastri requires that level of support."

      Ralf Schumacher has directed criticism at Mark Webber, claiming Oscar Piastri’s manager is not effectively handling the mounting pressure within McLaren as the championship battle increasingly favors Lando Norris. In an interview with Sky Deutschland, Schumacher expressed that his former Formula 1 rival, Webber, is having difficulty separating his own past experiences from Piastri’s current situation.

      "For Webber, it’s a challenging situation. He infamously lost the World Championship in the final moments of 2010 to his teammate Sebastian Vettel," Ralf stated. "For him, it feels like déjà vu - something he wants to avoid at all costs. However, he seems to lack the necessary perspective and maturity to understand what is required for both the team and his driver. Moreover, he also shows a lack of fairness toward Lando Norris."

      Conversely, Schumacher commended Norris for maintaining his composure amidst escalating tensions and accusations of favoritism. "The team has always had a solid foundation, and Lando has faced significant challenges," he remarked. "Currently, the situation has shifted a bit, which is not preferable for a manager like Piastri. When things become unsportsmanlike—whistles, boos, rumors—you must confront those issues as a manager and as a team."

      According to Ralf, Webber has not demonstrated the necessary leadership in this moment. "A manager must proactively address the situation and say, ‘Listen, the issue isn’t with the team. The car better suits Lando at this point, and Oscar needs time. They both receive equal support.’ Instead, Webber tends to be distant, preferring to make calls and dismiss concerns, which is unfortunate."

      Schumacher even drew parallels to his own experiences in Formula 1. "I didn’t always see eye to eye with Willi Weber," he shared. "Yet he would consistently come to us and say, ‘You need to take responsibility for your mistakes or acknowledge the team.’ A young driver like Piastri really needs that kind of assistance. It’s unfortunate that Mark Webber is unable to provide it."

      Lastly, Ralf contended that Piastri must also bear some responsibility himself. "He simply needs to present himself in a more favorable light—he could even say, ‘Leave my teammate alone; he’s performing better. I need to compete against him on the track with the same car.’"