Agreement restricting Ferrari's influence regarding Hamilton.
"Hamilton will make his own decisions"
Ralf Schumacher believes that Lewis Hamilton’s contract may hinder Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur’s capacity to manage the increasingly intense on-track contests with Charles Leclerc. The Ferrari duo has engaged in aggressive wheel-to-wheel racing in the early rounds of 2026, highlighted by a particularly close encounter in Suzuka where Leclerc passed Hamilton on the outside of Turn 1. "Our cars contacted in the chicane - I was worried I had a puncture," Leclerc confessed afterward.
Former driver Timo Glock cautioned that the situation could escalate if left unaddressed. "A clear line must be established when the team finds itself at a disadvantage," he stated to Sky Deutschland. "If the two cars are obstructing each other and depleting battery power, resulting in lost positions for the team, then management must step in. Ferrari needs to take a strong approach here, as they were really testing the limits. The general rule among teams is that a duel is permissible, but contact is not."
He also made a concerning prediction: "I have a feeling that at some point, we’ll see them both in the gravel after a collision." Glock highlighted Hamilton's comeback in 2026, saying, "Charles Leclerc remains a bit more consistently fast, but Lewis Hamilton is undoubtedly back to where we all want him to be – confident and enjoying racing."
However, Schumacher believes the situation may be more intricate behind the scenes. "I think, even at the risk of facing criticism for this, that while Lewis will indeed be fighting at the front again this year, he also has a contract that empowers him to do just that,” he noted. "I suspect that even if Fred Vasseur wanted to intervene, he might not have the authority to do so. That’s why Ferrari is at a disadvantage. Hamilton will make his own choices.
"This certainly affects the team - the mechanics, who work tirelessly from dawn until dusk, watch these two battling drivers lose time, and possibly even components, due to collisions. That creates unrest."
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