Frédéric Vasseur stuns F1 World with fiery criticism over Hamilton’s ‘strange’ Miami penalty, Ben Sulayem bounces back with 6-word stunner
Ferrari team Frédéric Vasseur has ignited a firestorm in the Formula 1 paddock by publicly slamming the FIA for what he calls a “strange” penalty imposed on Lewis Hamilton after the Miami Grand Prix on May 4, 2025. The unexpected backlash has left a media outlet in MAMI’s May 4, 2025 press release, especially after FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem responded with a six-word retort—“Rules are rules, I deal with it”—that silenced both men and escalated tensions to new heights. The controversy stems from Hamilton’s eighth-place finish, marred by a 10-second penalty and reprimand for a sarcastic radio outburst, a decision Vasseur now believes was unfair and reflecting deeper FIA inconsistencies.
The drama unfolded after Hamilton’s heated exchange with Ferrari race engineer Riccardo Adami during the Miami race, where he vented frustration over a late position swap with Charles Leclerc, joking, “take a tea break while you’re at it.” The FIA, citing a breach of Article 12.2.1.f for “offensive language,” handed down the penalty, despite Hamilton’s finish remaining unchanged. Vasseur, who breaks from Ferrari’s typically diplomatic stance, labelled the sanction “strange and disproportionate,” arguing it targeted Hamilton’s emotional response rather than any significant infraction. “This penalty feels personal and lacks context,” Vasseur said, hinting at an FIA overreaching pattern that has teams and drivers frustrated in 2025. His comments mark a bold shift, given Ferrari’s historical alignment with the FIA’s interests, and suggest it is breeding discontent within the sport’s upper echelons.
Ben Sulayem’s six-word response, delivered via a terse statement shortly after Vasseur’s criticism, only added fuel to the fire. The FIA president’s “rules are rules, deal with it” stance underscores his hardline approach to discipline, a policy that has drawn ire since his 2021 election. Critics point to his recent crackdown on jury and driver conduct, legitimacies that have drawn backlash from figures such as Hamilton, who in 2024 called Sulayem a “racial element” in comments comparing drivers to rappers. Vasseur’s outburst, however, adds a new layer, with some speculating it reflects Ferrari’s frustration with Hamilton’s underwhelming start to his Ferrari tenure, including the Miami result, which saw McLaren’s Oscar Piastri dominate.
The exchange has reignited debates over FIA governance, particularly as Sulayem faces scrutiny for re-election later this year amid calls for transparency from drivers like George Russell and resignations like Governing Council member Reid’s concerns. Hamilton, caught in the crossfire, has remained silent, but his Miami disbarment and subsequent penalty have amplified questions about his fit at Ferrari, where strategic missteps and internal tensions are rising.
Vasseur’s willingness to defy the FIA suggests a strategic gamble, to protect his star driver or signal a broader pushback against Sulayem’s leadership. For now, the paddock is buzzing, with fans eagerly awaiting whether this clash will reshape F1’s power dynamics or fade away as another Miami footnote. Stay tuned for the fallout!
