Besides technical failures Glassess mentioned, RLM was very skeptical off this new design for a fighter combat.
But yes it is true first time hitler saw that plane he got the idea of his "schnellbomber" and since nobody had the guts (besides probably Galland) to speak against him Messerchmitt had to partially redesign the plane wich probably cost month.
Today we will never find out if it could've been brought into combat earlier.
In his Book "the first and the Last" (hope it's the right engl. Title) Galland believe it could've.
P.S. Glassess could you PM me please?
regards