The 2025 Miami Grand Prix was supposed to be a showcase of speed and strategy, but for Ferrari and its star driver Lewis Hamilton, it has become a flashpoint of controversy and frustration. A series of events during the race, culminating in a penalty for Ferrari and an explosive response from Hamilton, has sent shockwaves through the Formula 1 community. The fallout has prompted a decisive move by Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur as the team grapples with internal tensions and a disappointing season. Here’s a breakdown of what happened and what it means for Hamilton and Ferrari going forward.
The drama began at the Miami Grand Prix, where Ferrari’s performance was already under scrutiny. Hamilton, starting from a disappointing 12th after a disappointing qualifying, was struggling to keep up with the frontrunners. The team’s SF-25, plagued by balance issues and a lack of outright speed, left both Hamilton and teammate Charles Leclerc trailing the dominant McLaren and Red Bull teams. Despite a creditable third place in the sprint race, thanks to a daring early tyre change, Hamilton’s main race was blighted by team orders that sparked his ire.
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At half-way through the race, Ferrari instructed Hamilton to hold position behind Leclerc to maximise the team’s points by exploiting Leclerc’s advantage through DRS. This decision, communicated by Hamilton’s race engineer Ricciardo Adami, prompted a sarcastic response. A visibly frustrated Hamilton responded over the radio with a sarcastic comment, telling the pit wall to “take a tea break” and later venting: “This is not good teamwork. That’s all I’ll say!” He referred to a similar incident at the Chinese Grand Prix, where he had conceded position to Leclerc, highlighting his growing discontent with Ferrari’s strategic choices. The tension was palpable, with Hamilton feeling that the team’s decisions were undermining his ability to compete effectively.
The situation escalated post-race when the FIA announced a penalty for Ferrari due to an incident involving Hamilton and Carlos Sainz, now driving for Williams. On the final lap, Sainz attempted an aggressive overtake on Hamilton at Turn 17, causing contact. While Hamilton remained in control and finished eighth, the stewards deemed Ferrari’s actions, particularly Hamilton’s defensive driving, a breach of the rules. The team was hit with a fine and a points deduction, a decision Hamilton reportedly felt was unfair. Sources close to the team said Hamilton’s frustration boiled over in the paddock, with the seven-time world champion openly questioning the management of the team and the fairness of the penalty.
Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur, faced with mounting pressure and a team in disarray, acted swiftly. In a closed-door meeting after the race, Vasseur reportedly addressed Hamilton’s concerns, but also issued a firm directive. Recognizing the need to maintain team unity, Vasseur decided that Hamilton would undergo a series of strategic debriefings to align his expectations with the team’s goals. Additionally, Vasseur announced that Ferrari would accelerate updates to the SF-25, targeting the upcoming Imola Grand Prix to address the car’s performance deficits. The move was seen as both a conciliatory gesture towards Hamilton, and a strategic necessity to salvage Ferrari’s 2025 season.
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Hamilton’s reaction to Vasseur’s decision was mixed. While he welcomed the promise of updates, he continued to be vocal about his dissatisfaction with the team’s current approach. In a post-race interview with Sky Sports, Hamilton made it clear that his radio outbursts were not meant to be disrespectful, but were born out of frustration. “I’m giving everything I have for this team, but we’re not where we need to be,” he said. He also highlighted the need for better communication, alluding to “sensitivities” within the team that needed to be addressed. Posts about X reflected the polarised sentiment among fans, with some praising Hamilton’s passion and others criticising his public criticism of Ferrari.
The Miami incident has exposed deeper issues within Ferrari. The team’s struggles with car performance, coupled with strategic missteps, have left them struggling in a season where McLaren’s Oscar Piastri and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen are dictating the pace. For Hamilton, who arrived at Ferrari with high hopes of challenging for an eighth world title, the transition has been anything but smooth. His contract, which expires at the end of 2025, adds further uncertainty to his future with the team.
With Ferrari coming to Imola, the spotlight will be on Vasseur’s ability to unify the team and deliver the promised upgrades. For Hamilton, the challenge is to channel his frustration into performance while managing the complex dynamics of his new team. The Miami Grand Prix may have been a difficult moment, but it could also be a catalyst for change if Ferrari and Hamilton can find common ground.
