In a stunning revelation just moments ago, seven-time Formula 1 World Champion Lewis Hamilton opened up about the perplexing team radio exchange with his Ferrari race engineer, Riccardo Adami, during the 2025 Monaco Grand Prix. The cryptic message, which left fans and pundits buzzing with speculation, caused Hamilton to push his Ferrari SF-25 to its limits in a race he described as “miserable” and “confusing.” The disclosure, made during a live interview with Sky F1 at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya ahead of the Spanish Grand Prix, sheds light on a tense moment that underscored the challenges of his transition to Ferrari in the 2025 season.
The Monaco Grand Prix, held last weekend, was a pivotal moment for Ferrari, with Charles Leclerc securing a podium finish in second place, just three seconds behind race winner Lando Norris of McLaren. Hamilton, however, finished a distant fifth, 51 seconds off the pace, after a race marred by communication breakdowns and strategic missteps. The most talked-about incident occurred when Adami told Hamilton, “This is our race,” a message the British driver misinterpreted as a signal to chase a potential victory. In reality, as Hamilton revealed today, the instruction was meant to indicate that he was free to race independently, without needing to support Leclerc’s bid for the win.
“I heard ‘This is our race,’ and I thought we were in contention for something big,” Hamilton explained, his voice tinged with frustration. “I was pushing like crazy, burning through my tires, thinking I was closer to the front than I actually was. By the time I realized the gap to the leaders was massive, it was too late. I was stuck in no man’s land, and it felt like I was driving in a fog.” This misunderstanding, Hamilton admitted, led to a significant loss of time, with Ferrari estimating he dropped around 10 seconds in lapped traffic compared to the leading quartet.
The Monaco race was further complicated by another awkward exchange. After crossing the finish line, Hamilton asked Adami, “Are you upset with me or something?” only to be met with silence. This moment sparked widespread speculation about tensions within Ferrari, with some suggesting a rift between Hamilton and his new race engineer. Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur, however, was quick to downplay any friction, explaining that the team avoids radio communication in certain track sections, such as between Turn 1 and the tunnel, to allow drivers to focus. “It’s not a tension,” Vasseur insisted during a media session in Monaco. “Lewis was asking something at a point where we don’t reply to avoid distracting him.”
Hamilton’s latest comments provide a deeper perspective on his struggles to adapt to Ferrari’s operational style. Having moved from Mercedes, where he enjoyed a long-standing partnership with race engineer Peter Bonnington, the transition to working with Adami—a veteran engineer previously paired with Carlos Sainz—has been rocky. Earlier in the season, Hamilton and Adami experienced similar communication hiccups, though a fourth-place finish at Imola suggested progress. Monaco, however, exposed lingering issues, with Hamilton admitting he still hasn’t fully grasped the nuances of Ferrari’s car setup and team dynamics.
Despite the setbacks, Hamilton remains optimistic about his future with Ferrari. He praised the team’s efforts to rebuild his car after a dramatic 175mph crash in first practice at Monaco, which left engineers scrambling to prepare for qualifying. “The team did an incredible job getting me back out there,” he said. “We’re still learning each other, and I’m confident we’ll get it right.” Ferrari’s hopes for a turnaround are pinned on a new front wing, set to debut at the upcoming Spanish Grand Prix. Vasseur has described the technical directive accompanying this upgrade as a potential “gamechanger” for the 2025 season, hinting at a performance boost that could lift Ferrari from their winless streak.
The Monaco Grand Prix also highlighted broader challenges for Formula 1, with a mandatory two-stop strategy failing to shake up the race’s processional nature. Hamilton, echoing sentiments shared by drivers like Max Verstappen, called the race “dull” and expressed a desire for changes to make Monaco more exciting. “For most of the time, I just wanted it to end,” he admitted post-race. Yet, off the track, Hamilton appeared unfazed, spotted enjoying Monaco’s nightlife hours after the race, a testament to his ability to compartmentalize professional frustrations.
As Ferrari heads to Spain, all eyes will be on Hamilton and Adami to see if they can iron out their communication woes. With the team trailing McLaren and Red Bull in the constructors’ standings, the pressure is on to deliver. Hamilton’s candid revelation today not only clarifies the Monaco mystery but also underscores his determination to make his Ferrari tenure a success. For now, the F1 world awaits the next chapter in this unfolding saga.
