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Lewis Hamilton 'should have apologised' as Ferrari star called out for F1 controversy

Ralf Schumacher has hit out at Lewis Hamilton for his comments on the radio during the Miami Grand Prix, insisting that the Mercedes driver should have apologised

Lewis Hamilton wearing Ferrari attire during a press conference
Lewis Hamilton's relationship with Ferrari is under the microscope(Image: AFP via Getty Images)

Ralf Schumacher has claimed that Lewis Hamilton should have said sorry to Ferrari for his radio remarks at the Miami Grand Prix. The seven-time champion was annoyed after team orders to swap positions with Charles Leclerc.


Chasing sixth place and stuck behind team-mate Leclerc, Hamilton's tyres were overheating, leading to his impatient outburst over team radio. Although Ferrari eventually acquiesced, Hamilton still couldn't contain his frustration.


To the message advising him of the imminent switch, he retorted: "Ah, have a tea break while you're at it! Come on!" Later, after Leclerc had regained the position and when told about Carlos Sainz closing in, Hamilton sarcastically replied: "You want me to let him pass as well?"


Hamilton later passed off his radio comments as nothing of any significance. Reflecting on the exchange, he said: "Fred [Vasseur, team principal] came to my room. "I just put my hand on his shoulder and was like, 'Dude, calm down, don't be so sensitive'.

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"I could have said way worse things on the radio. You hear some of the things others have said in the past... Some of it was sarcasm.

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"Look, you've got to understand we're under a huge amount of pressure within the car. You're never going to get the most peaceful messages coming through in the heat of the battle. And yeah, it was fine. We said we'll take it."

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However, former Williams and Toyota driver Schumacher remains unconvinced by this explanation, reports the Express. Speaking on the Backstage Boxengasse podcast, he said: "Hamilton, that was somehow off the mark.


"If you really want to get past, that's one thing; he was faster at the time. But then give it back without a fight." Schumacher added that a more gracious approach would have suited Hamilton better, given his experience and age.

Ralf Schumacher walks in the F1 paddock
Ralf Schumacher thinks Lewis Hamilton owes Ferrari an apology(Image: Getty Images)

He added: "And afterwards, I don't pretend that I meant it sarcastically. Instead, I just say that I'm sorry. That shouldn't really happen with his experience and his age. He could have acted a bit more cleverly. I think that would have suited him better.

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"Of course, the relationship [with Ferrari] is tarnished by such actions. That will stick, and he has to know that himself. There is now a need for clarification, and it will definitely be discussed – especially internally, how to deal with it in the future."

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Ralf SchumacherLewis HamiltonFerrari F1Formula 1Charles Leclerc
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