Ralf Schumacher criticizes Mark Webber as Oscar Piastri’s manager: “He’s losing like he did in 2010”. Ralf Schumacher criticizes Mark Webber’s management of Oscar Piastri.

The honors and burdens of Mark Webber as Piastri’s manager

Throughout the season, many in the paddock have praised Mark Webber, often seeing him as a key figure behind Oscar Piastri’s rapid rise in Formula 1. However, the current crisis facing the young Australian at McLaren—far from being linked to the often-discussed “hamburger curse”—has sparked criticism of the former Red Bull driver. Mark Webber is accused of failing to shield his client from mounting media pressure. This view was voiced by Ralf Schumacher in an interview with Sky Germany. Ralf Schumacher raced against Webber in Formula 1 between 2002 and 2007, and was actually replaced by the Australian at Williams in 2005.

Ralf Schumacher takes aim

“For Mark Webber,” explained Michael Schumacher’s brother, “this must feel like a nightmare scenario. He himself lost the World Championship in 2010 to his teammate Sebastian Vettel, and now this situation with Oscar Piastri must feel like a kind of déjà-vu—something he would never have wanted to relive. In general, though, it seems he lacks the necessary distance and maturity to recognize what he needs to do for the team and for his driver. He also lacks the fairness required towards Lando Norris.”

Schumacher further accused Webber of failing to ask Oscar Piastri’s fans not to boo the current championship leader: “When antisporting behavior occurs, like booing, shouting, and chants, a manager and the team must step in. A manager needs to actively say, ‘Guys, the problem isn’t the team. Right now the car suits Lando more, Oscar just needs time. Both are receiving the same support.’ But Mark Webber prefers to stay on the phone and dismiss the issue, which is a shame.”

“In my time,” Ralf Schumacher added, “I didn’t always agree with Willi Weber—Michael’s longtime manager—but he would come to us and say we simply had to admit our mistakes and thank the team. A young F1 driver like Oscar Piastri needs that kind of support. It’s a pity Mark Webber isn’t able to provide it. He should also show more empathy, maybe saying, ‘Leave my teammate alone, he’s doing a better job. I have to beat him on track with the same car.’”