Former driver and F1 expert Ralf Schumacher has come off the long run during the mid-season break, taking aim at Lance Stroll and Lewis Hamilton in brutal digs.
The brother of the legendary Michael Schumacher was speaking to Germany’s Bild when he pulled no punches while casting his eye over F1’s big talking points.
His biggest hit was arguably for Stroll, the son of Canadian billionaire Lawrence, who owns the Aston Martin team and continues to employ his son despite long-running middling results.
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Stroll is in his third season as the teammate of Fernando Alonso, who outscored him by 132 points in 2023, and 46 points in 2024.
This season they both sit on 26 points, but Stroll has now been outqualified in 27 consecutive race weekends by the 44-year-old Spaniard in a staggeringly one-sided record.
Now, Aston Martin is reaching a crossroads with its line-up for the new era of technical regulations, in which it’s expected to become a force with thanks to the impact of legendary aerodynamicist Adrian Newey, who started at the team this year.
Stroll is contracted for 2026 and seemingly has a seat for however long he wants it in the sport’s longest running nepotism saga.
But for Aston Martin to be truly successful, Schumacher told the Bild that there is a ruthless call that must be finally made.
“If he really wants to become world champion, he has to fire his son,” Schumacher said.
“Lance’s 0-27 qualifying loss to his teammate Fernando Alonso says it all.
“The father has to decide; emotions or success? If he’s serious, he’ll have to completely rethink the driver line-up for 2026.
“I think he knows that, but the decision is difficult for him.”
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Another struggling star in 2025, Hamilton, also fell into Schumacher’s sights.
The seven-time world champion has seen his Ferrari dream swiftly turn into a nightmare, with murmurs growing around the potential for a premature split.
Hamilton went a long way to sparking those rumours himself after the Hungarian Grand Prix, when he failed to confirm beyond all doubt that he would even return from the mid-season break.
“There’s a lot going on in the background that isn’t great,” he added.
Schumacher, however, claimed that Hamilton was guilty of putting on a theatrical display.
“I already said before the season that this could go wrong,” he told Bild. “Currently, I’m seeing a lot of theatrics from him.
“He’s been slamming the team, criticising internally, and arguing with the car – that doesn’t help anyone.
“The car suits (Charles) Leclerc, not him. Maybe he’s too old to adapt. Or he just can’t cope. I think the decision for Leclerc was made long ago. But I don’t think he’ll quit during the season.”
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PIASTRI TO RED BULL? SUPREMO’S STUNNING NOD FOR AUSSIE
It’s not easy to make Helmut Marko impressed — just ask the wasteland of drivers that sit behind the 82-year-old.
But sitting firmly among the tiny portion of drivers that Marko does rate is Oscar Piastri, who earned a stunning endorsement from the Red Bull racing adviser this week.
Piastri is narrowly leading the drivers championship over McLaren teammate Lando Norris with one of the two drivers all but certain to be crowed at the end of the season.
Speaking to F1-InsiderMarko weighed in on the title battle with a favourable nod to Piastri.
“Piastri has the nerve, is more consistent, and always gets the best out of himself. I’ve never seen him so emotionally charged,” Marko told the publication.
“Norris may be faster per lap, but overall I see Piastri ahead.”
Piastri sits on a streak of 40-consecutive finishes in the points, which is the fourth-longest run in F1 history, while he has built a reputation for being quick, consistent, and firm but fair in racing duels.
By comparison, Norris is seen by many as having slightly more raw speed, but he continues to face questions around his volatility, and conservatism in wheel-to-wheel battles.
As such, Piastri could well be Australia’s first world champion since Alan Jones in 1980, while his stocks in the driver market continue to soar.
Piastri is locked in at McLaren through 2028, but Marko’s praise will suggest some level of interest at Red Bull, which has long failed to produce Max Verstappen with a top-tier team mate.
“Piastri has had an incredible career and is improving year after year,” Marko added.
“He had some major fluctuations last year, depending on the track. That’s no longer the case.
“He still has a long way to go. The potential to become a truly great driver is there, though.”