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Unseen Ferrari Footage Emerges After Hamilton-Leclerc Miami Dispute
Previously unreleased footage has surfaced showing the aftermath of Ferrari’s controversial handling of team orders at the 2025 Miami Grand Prix, shedding new light on the tense moments between Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc. The video, released by Sky Sports F1 ahead of Formula 1’s return from the summer break, captures the pair’s off-track interaction following a race dominated by Ferrari’s indecisive strategy calls.
The Miami Grand Prix, held in May at the Miami International Autodrome, became one of the most debated races of the season for the Scuderia. Ferrari had faced criticism for their handling of team orders, particularly in the way they managed the dynamic between Hamilton, in his debut year with the team, and Leclerc, who has been the lead driver at Maranello for several seasons.
During the race, Hamilton grew increasingly frustrated after repeated radio exchanges with race engineer Riccardo Adami, in which he questioned whether Ferrari would allow him to overtake Leclerc on fresher tyres. On lap 36, the 40-year-old seven-time world champion directly asked if he could pass his teammate, only to be met with Adami’s uncertain reply: “I’ll come back to you.” Such hesitation is almost unheard of in Formula 1, where split-second decisions can determine race outcomes.
Hamilton, unimpressed by the lack of clarity, made his feelings clear over the radio: “This is not good team work. That’s all I’m going to say.” Moments later, he delivered a more sarcastic comment that quickly made headlines: “Have a tea break while you’re at it.” His irritation was evident, as the situation saw him stuck behind Leclerc for crucial laps while rivals gained ground.
Eventually, Ferrari opted to shuffle their drivers, but the execution left both men disadvantaged. After swapping positions twice, Leclerc ultimately crossed the line in seventh place, with Hamilton right behind in eighth. The result compounded the disappointment, with Ferrari leaving Miami without maximising their points haul.
Adding to the drama, Hamilton sarcastically quipped to Adami on the final lap, “Shall I let him past as well?” in response to the team’s confusing handling of the situation. The race highlighted what critics have often described as Ferrari’s Achilles heel—hesitant and contradictory strategy calls that undermine driver performance.
Despite the tense exchanges, the newly released footage paints a slightly different picture of the relationship between Hamilton and Leclerc after the chequered flag. The clip shows Hamilton approaching Leclerc before the mandatory post-race weigh-in, giving his teammate a friendly tap on the back. Leclerc responded in kind, a gesture suggesting that whatever frustrations boiled over on track did not carry into personal animosity off it.
For many observers, the incident served as a reminder of the stark difference between Hamilton’s new working relationship at Ferrari and the smooth, trusted bond he shared for years with former Mercedes race engineer Peter Bonnington. At Mercedes, communication was often praised for its clarity and decisiveness, whereas in Miami, Ferrari’s dithering left Hamilton openly exasperated.
The Miami GP remains one of Ferrari’s low points of the 2025 season, with fans and pundits alike criticising the Scuderia for once again allowing strategic blunders to overshadow their drivers’ performances. While the unseen footage confirms there is no personal rift between Hamilton and Leclerc, it underscores the ongoing challenge for Ferrari: transforming two top-tier drivers into a united force capable of consistently fighting for podiums and victories.
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