The 2025 Miami Grand Prix left a bitter taste in the mouths of Ferrari, and not just because of the on-track results. Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton unleashed a storm with a forceful statement that put the Scuderia’s strategic decisions and the management of its boss, Frédéric Vasseur, under scrutiny. What seemed like just another weekend of Hamilton’s adaptation to the red team turned into a chapter of tension, sarcasm, and a wake-up call that resonates in Maranello.
During the Miami race, Ferrari failed to contend for the podium, finishing with Charles Leclerc in seventh and Hamilton in eighth. But the real drama unfolded on team radio. A visibly frustrated Hamilton criticized Ferrari’s strategy, which kept him behind Leclerc for four laps while he, on faster medium tires, made way to chase Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli. “This is not teamwork!” Hamilton exclaimed, going further with a sarcastic comment: “Have a cup of tea while you decide.” These words, although Hamilton clarified that they were “sarcasm, not anger,” set off alarm bells in the team and on social media.
After the race, Vasseur went to Hamilton’s cockpit to discuss the incident. According to the driver himself, the conversation was tense: “I put my hand on his shoulder and said, ‘Man, calm down, don’t be so sensitive.’” Hamilton, true to his combative style, refused to apologize for his comments on the radio, asserting that he “won’t apologize for being a fighter” and that he still feels “the fire in my stomach” to win. These words, reported by Motorsport.com, reflect not only the Briton’s passion, but also his discomfort with the internal dynamics at Ferrari in his first season with the team.
The background to this controversy reveals a bigger challenge for Ferrari. Hamilton, accustomed to Mercedes’ precision for over a decade, is struggling to adapt to the SF-25 and communicate with his race engineer, Riccardo Adami. According to La Repubblica, the relationship between the two has been tense since the season opener in Melbourne, with “constant friction.” This cultural and strategic clash is testing the patience of the 40-year-old driver, who, despite a third place in the Miami Sprint Race, has not hidden his disappointment with the team’s overall performance.
For his part, Vasseur defended his approach, explaining that decisions on the pit wall aren’t simple. “You don’t have 30 minutes to analyze data; you decide in real time who’s fastest and if DRS affects it,” the Frenchman said, according to CarandDriver.com. While acknowledging that the delay in the swap order could have cost the team positions, he insisted that his decisions always prioritize Ferrari. However, Italian media outlets such as La Gazzetta have begun to question Vasseur’s management, wondering if the “chef” needs to “fine-tune his recipe” after the initial mantra of “let Vasseur cook.”
The impact of this episode goes beyond the track. On social media, especially Facebook, fans and Hamilton supporters have fueled the debate. Some applaud the driver’s openness, seeing it as a boost for Ferrari to wake up; others criticize his attitude, arguing that he should adapt before pointing out mistakes. Posts on X, such as one from @DeporteslaSexta, highlight Hamilton’s outburst on the radio, while @MexicoPost reported on an alleged emergency meeting at Ferrari, although without official confirmation.
This incident comes at a critical time for the Scuderia, which faces a difficult 2025 season after a promising 2024. Disqualifications in China, a lack of pace against McLaren, and internal tensions threaten to derail the ambitions of Hamilton and Leclerc. However, the Briton remains hopeful, trusting in the SF-25’s aerodynamic improvements and front wing flexibility tests that could benefit the team, according to Motorsport.com.
The question now is whether Hamilton’s statement will be a turning point for Ferrari or the beginning of a stormy relationship. What is clear is that the seven-time world champion will not remain silent. Will Maranello be able to channel its firepower to return to glory? Only time will tell, but the F1 world is keeping a close eye on this dramatic drama.
