Tensions flare in Ferrari camp as Hamilton and Leclerc struggle in Miami

Ferrari Frustrations Spill Over in Miami Grand Prix Team Radio Drama

The Miami Grand Prix proved to be a frustrating outing for Ferrari drivers Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc, with a series of controversial team strategy calls highlighted during heated exchanges on team radio. The duo, who finished seventh and eighth respectively, sparred not only with each other but also with their team over what many deemed a disjointed approach to the race.

Hamilton’s Discontent with Strategy

Hamilton, who started from a disappointing 12th on the grid, managed to climb four places, but the seven-time world champion was evidently dissatisfied with Ferrari's decision-making during key moments of the race. Adding to the palpable tension was the fact that both Hamilton and Leclerc believed they had the pace to challenge Mercedes’ Andrea Kimi Antonelli for a higher position.

The drama began around Lap 36 as Hamilton, running medium tires, found himself stuck in the dirty air behind teammate Leclerc, who was on a long stint with hard tires. Exasperated over the lack of team coordination, Hamilton’s frustration boiled over on the radio.

"I'm just burning up my tires behind him," Hamilton said pointedly. "You want me to just sit here the whole race?"

Ferrari Race Engineer Riccardo Adami responded, instructing Hamilton to hold position in order to maintain a DRS buffer against Carlos Sainz, who was closing in behind. But Hamilton wasn’t convinced, audibly expressing his irritation with an "Ugh ... you guys ..."

A Late Resolution Brings Little Relief

The impasse was broken on Lap 39 when Leclerc was finally told to let Hamilton through at Turn 17. However, the damage to team harmony may have already been done. Hamilton quickly sounded off again: "This is not good teamwork, that's all I'm going to say. In China, I got out the way..." Before ending his complaint with a sarcastic quip: "Have a tea break while you're at it, come on!"

Once ahead, Hamilton struggled to make significant inroads on Antonelli while Leclerc complained of being left to deal with dirty air in Hamilton’s wake. A disheartened Leclerc asked on Lap 42, "I need Lewis to go faster. I've just got dirty air now."

Ferrari Floats a Position Swap Again

As the race progressed, neither driver appeared satisfied with the strategy or the results from their side of the garage. On Lap 52, Ferrari floated the idea to swap their positions once more, believing Leclerc potentially had a better shot at catching Antonelli. Hamilton responded with a curt, "So you don't think I can catch up, or what?"

The swap was eventually executed a lap later, but by that time, the opportunity to pressure Antonelli into a mistake had ebbed away. Speaking on team radio, Leclerc sounded resigned to his fate: "It’s OK, it’s OK. We are seeing Antonelli, but let's try to get him. Otherwise, we are going to lose more time than anything. Then we discuss after the race."

Closing Laps Highlight Ferrari Woes

The closing laps only deepened Ferrari’s woes, with Sainz closing in rapidly and Hamilton ironically asking, "You want me to let him past as well?" Though Sainz was unable to unseat Hamilton from P8, the sarcastic remark summed up a race fraught with friction.

Though Hamilton and Leclerc ultimately secured points finishes, the Miami Grand Prix will be remembered more for their fiery exchanges and apparent lack of team cohesion than for their on-track performance. Ferrari, who have faced criticism this season for their race-day strategies, again find themselves under scrutiny as fans and analysts question whether the team is leaving points on the table.

Post-Race Silence Raises Questions

Post-race, neither driver offered public statements, but it’s safe to assume that behind closed doors, these issues will be dissected in full. Ferrari’s inability to execute a clear and confident plan continues to magnify their struggles in a tightly contested midfield battle.

The tension within the team stands in stark contrast to the dominance and coordination Mercedes displayed at the front of the field, leaving many wondering how Ferrari will right the ship heading into the next Grand Prix. For now, it’s back to Maranello with plenty of homework to do.

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