F1 News Today: Hamilton suffers awkward Ferrari silence as...

F1 News Today: Hamilton suffers awkward Ferrari silence as…read more

Seven-time Formula 1 World Champion Lewis Hamilton experienced a moment of awkward silence from Ferrari engineers after attempting to make contact with his future team at the conclusion of the Monaco Grand Prix. The British driver, who will join Ferrari from Mercedes for the 2025 season, found himself in an uncomfortable position as he tried to reach out over the team radio, only to be met with silence.

Following the end of Sunday’s race, which saw Charles Leclerc take a historic victory on home soil, Hamilton tried to speak to members of the Ferrari team via the radio. His efforts came shortly after finishing the Monaco Grand Prix in seventh place—a frustrating result for a driver used to competing for victories. However, instead of a warm exchange or acknowledgment, Hamilton’s attempt reportedly received no response, an awkward moment that highlights the delicacy of his transition from Mercedes to Ferrari.

Hamilton’s move to Ferrari was one of the most shocking developments ahead of the 2025 season. He announced earlier this year that he would be leaving Mercedes, where he achieved six of his seven world titles, to join the Scuderia. Despite his future with the Italian team, it appears Ferrari is maintaining strict boundaries while he remains a Mercedes driver, perhaps in a bid to preserve competitive integrity and avoid any conflict of interest.

The silent treatment from Ferrari came during a race weekend filled with tension and high emotions. While Monaco is known for its glitz and glamour, the pressure is intense on all drivers, especially those with something to prove. For Hamilton, the Grand Prix was a reminder of the struggles he has faced in recent seasons with Mercedes, who have fallen behind Red Bull and now Ferrari in terms of race pace and competitiveness.

Charles Leclerc’s emotional win only heightened the contrast between Ferrari’s current driver line-up and Hamilton’s present situation at Mercedes. Leclerc’s triumph marked his first win on home turf, and the team was in full celebration mode. Meanwhile, Hamilton quietly left the Principality with little fanfare, overshadowed by the day’s celebrations.

Adding to Hamilton’s Monaco woes, another headline emerged regarding a potential penalty. During the race, there was an investigation into an incident involving Hamilton, but ultimately, the stewards decided against issuing any penalty. The verdict offered some relief to the Briton, who has often found himself scrutinized for his on-track conduct. However, the investigation further emphasized the challenging nature of his current campaign.

As the 2024 season progresses, Hamilton continues to struggle to match the dominant performances of Max Verstappen and the rising strength of Ferrari. Mercedes has made some improvements, but the gap to the front runners remains significant. With George Russell occasionally outperforming Hamilton in qualifying and race results, questions continue to rise about how the veteran driver will adapt when he joins Ferrari—particularly if Leclerc maintains his current form.

While the radio silence may seem minor, it symbolizes the complex dynamics at play when a driver switches allegiances in the middle of a season. Teams are notoriously guarded about their strategies, technical developments, and internal communications, especially when a departing driver is set to join a rival. Hamilton’s attempt to communicate may have been well-intentioned or simply casual, but Ferrari’s response—or lack thereof—shows that any engagement is being carefully managed.

Hamilton now turns his focus to the upcoming rounds of the championship, where he will aim to extract the maximum from his Mercedes machine. As his final year with the Silver Arrows continues, he will hope to end the chapter on a high note before stepping into red overalls in 2025. But for now, the road remains bumpy, and moments like these are a reminder that change, even for legends, comes with its share of growing pains.