Lewis Hamilton almost hits Ralf Schumacher in F1 near miss as Ferrari misery continues

There was a brief moment of panic at the Qatar Grand Prix when Ralf Schumacher got a little too close to Lewis Hamilton.

Schumacher was working for Sky Germany during first practice in Losail when he failed to spot a bright red flying Ferrari.

The six-time race winner was just heading past the McLaren garage while speaking live to the studio when Hamilton’s No.44 car flew past at close range.

The commentary team breathed in through their teeth as Schumacher quickly rebalanced himself and said: “All good, all good, nothing happened.”

Hamilton likely had a momentary fright at the sight of his old rival, but his Friday would soon get even worse.

The seven-time champion set the 12th fastest time in that practice session, but a few hours later he did even worse.

Hamilton failed to make it out of sprint qualifying, ending up 18th as he continues a miserable debut season in Italy.

Another awkward post-session interview followed, with Hamilton asked if his new front wing made any difference.

“Clearly not,” he replied. 

He was then asked if there are any positives to take from Friday’s running, and answered: “The weather’s nice.”

And after hearing that, Formula One legend Martin Brundle added: “More and more painful to observe, Lewis’ media appearances.”

Hamilton’s season from hell

The 40-year-old has already set a team record for the most races without a podium, reaching 22, more than the previous worst of 19.

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Sky

He’s also on course for the worst points total of his legendary 17-year career and understandably called 2025 his ‘worst-ever’ season last time out in Las Vegas.

There he hit a new low of becoming the first Ferrari driver to qualify last since 2009, and said he wasn’t looking forward to 2026, which some took as a hint towards retirement.

Addressing things by the time he arrived in Qatar, he commented: “I’d be surprised if the other drivers are excited about next year at the end of a season because usually, you don’t have a lot of energy at the end.

“You’re looking forward to time with family and stuff. In the heat of frustration, often there’s a lot of frustration at the end of races when things haven’t gone well. I’m excited to see what the team build next year.”

Hamilton was then asked if he would have joined Ferrari had he known how difficult this season would be.

He responded: “That’s a hypothetical question so I wouldn’t go into that.

“I don’t regret the decision I’ve made joining the team. I know it takes time to build and grow within an organisation and I expected that.”

Elsewhere in sprint qualifying, Hamilton’s old rival Max Verstappen was left just as disappointed by ending up sixth, dealing a blow to his title tilt.

Championship leader Lando Norris was first, while teammate and second in the title race, Oscar Piastri, took sprint pole in a return to form.