Robert Doornbos, a former F1 driver, has slammed seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, arguing the driver is not delivering in Ferrari but picking up a hefty pay cheque at the end of each week.
Doornbos contested 11 grand prix races during his career and has agreed with Ferrari chairman John Elkann’s frustrations about the team’s inability to pick up points in Brazil and the lack of overall performance.
“Hamilton has said in the media that he is living in a nightmare,” the Dutch driver told De Stamtafel.
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Lewis Hamilton has had a season of ongoing struggles with Ferrari in 2025. Â Getty
“It’s dramatic and terrible. It was my dream to sign for Ferrari, and since I’ve been there, it’s been a nightmare.
“They are happy to transfer €2.5 million ($4.45m AUD) to Hamilton every weekend, but he doesn’t deliver anything for it.
“That is painful for him, but also for all Ferrari fans.
“John Elkann, the Ferrari boss, has also said that the drivers should talk less and accelerate. Second place among the constructors is still achievable,” he added.
John Elkann gave a scathing review of his Formula 1 team’s recent performance. Â LightRocket via Getty Images
“Leclerc and Hamilton both shared a message on Instagram after Elkann’s complaint, clearly wanting to create unity at the team.
“It indicates that there are serious irritations at Ferrari.”
Doornbos further added to the woes, saying that Ferrari will have to “come up with a miracle” for their 2026 challenger.
Ferrari have all but given up hope for 2025, admitting they are putting all their technical prowess to chase performance for next season, with the new regulations coming in.
“He has to hope that Ferrari has built a cannon of an engine,” Doornbos continued.
“They really have to come up with a miracle.
Ferrari will now need to look forward to their 2026 challenger. Â Ferrari/X
“If he [Hamilton] beats Charles Leclerc, he will be the hero of Italy again, so it’s a thin line, but it doesn’t really hold up yet.
“There’s no qualifying pace. There’s no race pace. The communication isn’t there. The energy isn’t there.
“I mean, this has been one of the worst seasons a Ferrari driver has had. And we’re talking about a seven-time world champion.”