Lewis Hamilton brutally criticised in 'can't cope' attack

Ralf Schumacher has taken Lewis Hamilton to task over his conduct at Ferrari, claiming the British driver "doesn't help anyone" with his current approach.

The six-time grand prix winner mused that the 40-year-old could be "too old to adapt" to his new team, or that perhaps he simply "can't cope" with the transition from Mercedes to the Italian squad.

Hamilton has endured a difficult and underwhelming first half-season with the Scuderia and has appeared increasingly disillusioned with his lack of form.

That was no more evident than at the Hungaroring before the summer break, when the demoralised driver chastised himself for a poor qualifying performance, claiming he was "absolutely useless" and that a "change driver" was needed at Ferrari.

The seven-time F1 drivers' champion arrived at Maranello amid high hopes and expectations of what he could achieve with the Prancing Horse.

However, 14 rounds into his tenure, he has failed to materialise as many anticipated, and he has spent much of the campaign thus far overshadowed and outclassed by Charles Leclerc.

Whilst his team-mate has secured five podiums and a recent pole position at the Hungarian Grand Prix, Hamilton has had to settle for limited success, with only a sprint win and a sprint podium to show for his efforts.

That leaves Leclerc 42 points ahead, but their head-to-head results paint an even more damning picture, with the 27-year-old leading the Briton 10-4 in qualifying and 11-2 in races (it would have been 12-2 had it not been for their double disqualification in China).

Schumacher, however, is not surprised to see things going badly for the 105-time grand prix winner.

"I said before the season that this could go wrong," the former Jordan, Williams and Toyota driver told BILD. "Currently, I see a lot of drama from him.

"He's been slamming the team, criticising internally, arguing with the car - that doesn't help anyone."

Hamilton has gone to extensive lengths to help develop the SF-25, including creating multiple documents to analyse where the team and car can be improved.

However, Schumacher believes the Ferrari is inherently more to his team-mate's liking, but does not believe Hamilton will walk away mid-year, as some have suggested.

"The car suits Leclerc, not him," the 50-year-old said. "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."