"Ferrari Defends Strategy Amid Hamilton & Leclerc Frustrations

“Ferrari Defends Strategy Amid Hamilton & Leclerc Frustrations After Di….read more

Despite a tension-filled Miami Grand Prix that left both Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc visibly frustrated, Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur has stood by his team’s performance, calling it “a good job” under the circumstances. The Italian team endured a difficult race weekend, finishing in seventh and eighth place, a result far below their ambitions. Yet, Vasseur has emphasized the importance of communication and learning from the event, rather than dwelling on the disappointment.

Ferrari entered the Miami GP with high hopes, but their expectations quickly unraveled during the race. Both Hamilton and Leclerc found themselves locked in a battle with each other rather than being able to attack the competition ahead. Specifically, both drivers struggled to make an impact on Mercedes’ young rising star Kimi Antonelli, who managed to stay ahead and prevent either Ferrari from making significant inroads.

What truly fueled the frustration, however, was the team’s strategic indecision. During the race, both Hamilton and Leclerc requested that the team allow them to pass one another in an attempt to catch Antonelli. However, Ferrari opted for caution. Rather than granting either driver the opportunity to switch positions, the team stuck to their strategy, which led to both drivers expressing their dissatisfaction over the radio.

Hamilton, in particular, voiced his annoyance with a sarcastic remark when the team delayed its response to his request: “Have a tea break while you’re at it, come on!” His words captured the level of exasperation he was feeling, and this reaction resonated with fans and analysts alike who questioned Ferrari’s lack of decisiveness in a crucial moment.

Leclerc, on the other hand, was more measured in his radio communications, but post-race interviews made it clear he shared Hamilton’s frustrations. Both drivers believed that with a bit more flexibility in team orders, they could have had a better shot at overtaking the Mercedes and improving their positions.

Despite the tense atmosphere, team boss Fred Vasseur has remained composed in his analysis. He admitted that the situation was not ideal but emphasized that the team took a professional approach to managing the conflict. Speaking after the race, Vasseur said that it was essential to maintain open lines of communication and understand the perspectives of both drivers. He believes the discussions that followed the race were constructive and necessary for the team’s growth moving forward.

Vasseur also pointed out that the team’s performance wasn’t entirely negative. From a technical standpoint, the SF-25 cars were competitive, and both drivers showed consistent pace, even if they couldn’t convert it into better results. He argued that the final positions didn’t tell the full story of the race and that Ferrari’s internal handling of the situation showed maturity and long-term thinking.

The team principal’s optimism seems to stem from the bigger picture. While Miami was a frustrating weekend on the surface, the ability to have honest conversations with the drivers and identify the gaps in strategy and communication was seen as a positive step. Vasseur believes that by learning from these incidents, Ferrari will be better prepared for similar situations in future races.

As the team turns its attention to the next round of the championship, Ferrari fans will be hoping that lessons learned in Miami will translate into improved results — and less tension — on the track.