🔥Breaking news: Tension erupted within Ferrari when Vasseur sent a STRONG WARNING to Lewis Hamilton for constantly making things difficult for Charles Leclerc.
The Miami Grand Prix has left Ferrari grappling with more than just a lackluster performance on the track. Behind the scenes, tensions within the team have reached a boiling point, with team principal Frederic Vasseur issuing a sharp warning to seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton following a series of contentious interactions with teammate Charles Leclerc. The drama, which unfolded both on the radio and in post-race discussions, has exposed underlying strains within Ferrari’s driver lineup and raised questions about the team’s ability to manage two of Formula 1’s biggest stars.
The root of the conflict lies in Ferrari’s handling of team orders during the Miami Grand Prix, where Hamilton and Leclerc finished a disappointing seventh and eighth, respectively. Hamilton, running on medium tires, believed he had the pace to overtake Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli for sixth place. However, he found himself stuck behind Leclerc, who was on harder tires and struggling to match his teammate’s speed. Frustrated by the team’s hesitation to allow him to pass, Hamilton unleashed a series of sarcastic radio messages, including a now-infamous quip urging the team to “have a tea break while you’re at it.” The delay in executing the swap, which Vasseur later admitted took one lap longer than ideal, cost Hamilton valuable tire life and ultimately prevented him from closing the gap to Antonelli.
Leclerc, for his part, was equally vocal about his dissatisfaction. When informed of the initial swap, he expressed frustration over the risk of losing time to Antonelli and later complained about being caught in Hamilton’s dirty air after the positions were reversed. The Monegasque driver’s suggestion to “talk about it later” during a heated radio exchange hinted at deeper discontent with the team’s strategy. While both drivers complied with the orders, the public airing of their grievances underscored a lack of cohesion within Ferrari’s ranks.
Vasseur, known for his no-nonsense approach, has since moved to quell the controversy, but not without delivering a pointed message to Hamilton. Sources close to the team indicate that Vasseur privately reprimanded the British driver for his outspoken criticism, emphasizing the need for unity and professionalism, especially in the face of Ferrari’s broader performance struggles. “Lewis is a champion, and champions push hard, but there’s a line,” Vasseur reportedly told Hamilton, urging him to channel his competitive fire constructively rather than undermining the team’s efforts. This warning comes as a reminder that, despite Hamilton’s stature, Ferrari operates as a collective, with no room for individual agendas.
The incident has sparked widespread debate among fans and pundits. Some argue that Hamilton’s frustration is justified, given Ferrari’s sluggish decision-making and the team’s underwhelming pace in Miami. Qualifying results were particularly damning, with Hamilton starting 12th and Leclerc eighth, a far cry from the podium-contending form expected of the Scuderia. Others, however, see Hamilton’s radio outbursts as a challenge to Vasseur’s authority, potentially destabilizing the team’s dynamic with Leclerc, who has long been viewed as Ferrari’s homegrown talent.
Despite the tension, both drivers have publicly downplayed any personal rift. Leclerc, in a post-race interview, insisted there are “no bad feelings” between him and Hamilton, acknowledging that he would have reacted similarly in the same situation. Hamilton, meanwhile, clarified that his “tea break” comment was sarcastic rather than malicious, and he revealed that he and Vasseur quickly smoothed things over after the race. “I told Fred not to be so sensitive,” Hamilton said with a smile, adding that he refuses to apologize for his competitive drive.
Ferrari’s challenges extend beyond driver dynamics. The team’s lack of pace in Miami, coupled with their inability to keep up with rivals like McLaren and Mercedes, has intensified pressure on Vasseur to deliver upgrades. The team principal confirmed that minor updates are planned for the upcoming Imola race, with a more significant package expected for the Spanish Grand Prix. However, these promises have done little to quell concerns about Ferrari’s trajectory in the 2025 season, especially after a promising podium in Jeddah earlier in the year.
As Ferrari heads to Imola, all eyes will be on how Vasseur manages his star drivers and whether the team can regain its competitive edge. The Miami Grand Prix may have exposed cracks in Ferrari’s armor, but it also offers an opportunity for the Scuderia to rally together. For Hamilton and Leclerc, finding a balance between rivalry and teamwork will be crucial if Ferrari hopes to challenge for the championship. For now, Vasseur’s warning to Hamilton serves as a stark reminder: in the high-stakes world of Formula 1, unity is as critical as speed.
