Breaking: Lewis Hamilton warned of ‘strained’ Ferrari relationship after…read more
Lewis Hamilton Faces Criticism Over Ferrari Frustration During Miami GP
Lewis Hamilton’s tense radio exchanges during the Miami Grand Prix have sparked warnings that his outbursts could jeopardize his growing relationship with Ferrari. The seven-time Formula 1 world champion, who is set to join the Italian team in 2025, appeared visibly irritated with Ferrari’s handling of team orders during the race, leading to sarcastic comments over team radio that have since drawn criticism.
Hamilton’s frustration became evident when Ferrari took longer than expected to execute team orders between him and Charles Leclerc. At the time, Hamilton was the quicker of the two and pushing for position. The delayed call led Hamilton to fire back with a sharp comment to his race engineer, Riccardo Adami: “Have a tea break while you’re at it.” The remark, delivered with clear sarcasm, reflected Hamilton’s dissatisfaction with the team’s decision-making.
Later in the race, Ferrari instructed the drivers to swap back, placing Leclerc in seventh and Hamilton in eighth. When Adami updated Hamilton on Carlos Sainz’s pace behind him, Hamilton delivered another biting retort: “Do you want me to let him through as well?” These comments, though possibly intended to be humorous, highlighted underlying tensions and growing impatience.
Former Formula 1 driver Ralf Schumacher weighed in on the situation, criticizing Hamilton’s behavior and warning of its potential consequences. Speaking on the Sky Germany podcast Backstage Pit Lane, Schumacher said, “Hamilton, that was somehow wrong. If you want to overtake, that’s fair—he was faster at that point. But then you should give the position back without resistance, and later acknowledge it sincerely rather than sarcastically.”
Schumacher suggested that Hamilton’s experience and status in the sport should have led to a more mature response. “That kind of behavior really shouldn’t happen from someone of his age and standing in the sport. He should’ve just apologized or acted more sensibly,” he said.
The former driver also noted that Hamilton’s attitude during the race could strain his integration with Ferrari, a team known for its tight-knit culture and deep national pride. “He could have handled it more cleverly. It would’ve been more beneficial to him. The Ferrari staff have started getting to know him better behind the scenes, and incidents like this leave a mark. They’ll remember it, and it does put pressure on the relationship,” Schumacher warned.
As Hamilton prepares to leave Mercedes at the end of the season and embark on a new chapter with Ferrari, his conduct will likely be under even greater scrutiny. While his competitive drive is unquestioned, how he navigates internal team dynamics at Ferrari could be just as critical to his success. This latest outburst may serve as a warning sign that adapting to the unique pressures and culture of Ferrari will require a different approach.
