Ralf Schumacher, the brother of Ferrari legend Michael, believes Lewis Hamilton may have the power to block team orders during Grand Prix weekends. The seven-time world champion is among the highest-paid drivers on the grid, having signed a lucrative multi-year deal before the 2025 season. He endured a nightmare first season at Ferrari but has been looking more like his former self in 2026.
Hamilton secured his first podium in red at the Chinese Grand Prix, coming home in third place. He has also enjoyed an on-track rivalry with Charles Leclerc but was left frustrated in Japan as he could not understand the power advantage his team-mate had down the straights. Their battles at Suzuka saw them lose time to the frontrunners but Ferrari didn’t step in to put a stop to proceedings.
Schumacher believes that may have stemmed from a clause in Hamilton’s contract potentially banning team orders that would go against him.
Speaking on Backstage Boxengasse, Schumacher said: “I’m actually of the opinion – although I’ll obviously get a storm of criticism for this again, but I don’t care – that although Lewis Hamilton is clearly back in the mix this year, which I’m very happy about, he’ll also have contracts that allow him to do exactly that.
“I could imagine that even if Fred [Vasseur] wanted to, he wouldn’t be able to say anything, because I believe Lewis Hamilton can decide for himself what he needs to do. He’ll enjoy a certain number one status, I can almost imagine.
