Lewis Hamilton has already identified the first problems at Ferrari. © APA/afp / CHANDAN KHANNA

Ferrari crisis: Hamilton is fuming

Lewis Hamilton was furious. The next Ferrari flop in Miami drove the seven-time Formula 1 world champion into sarcasm.

05 May 2025

From: dpa/dl

"Why don't you take a tea break while you're at it," Hamilton hissed over the radio after the pit lane seemed too hesitant. The Englishman isn't going fast enough in Italy. Eighth place in Florida behind his teammate Charles Leclerc is far too little for Hamilton. It's also far too little for the proud Scuderia.

The Journal of Sport is already sending out "SOS Ferrari" and suggesting that Hamilton should seek couples therapy with the racing team. "The fans in red are depressed, the drivers are frustrated and nervous," the Corriere della Sera and sees a long-embittered former world champion. "He already seems indifferent."

“Hey guys!”

Falling out of love isn't easy, even at Ferrari. But after such a stuttering start, it's really no surprise that Hamilton is frustrated early on in his first Ferrari season. "I'm still on fire," the 40-year-old declared defiantly. "I'm not going to apologize for being a fighter. I'm not going to apologize for still wanting it."

“Why don’t you take a tea break while you’re at it?” Lewis Hamilton, after the command post appeared too hesitant.

In Miami, sixth place could have been the best they could have hoped for. Therefore, Hamilton and Leclerc, each pursuing different tire strategies, took turns chasing Mercedes youngster Kimi Antonelli, Hamilton's successor and Italy's World Championship hope. However, the 18-year-old was never seriously challenged in the closing stages.

"Man, guys! This isn't good teamwork," Hamilton complained, because Ferrari initially refused to give him Leclerc's seat. The go-ahead came from the pits after all. Hamilton later swapped back with Leclerc. "I have no problems with Charles," said Hamilton, who respects the Monegasque driver. "But we can do better."

In the heat of the moment things get heated

Let's hope so. Otherwise, it will be another bitter season in red. Pace is everything. "You sit there, you have stuff in front of you, you make quick decisions," Hamilton explained his impatience. "We panic, we try to keep the car on the track. We calculate things quickly."

Lewis Hamilton was always quick to criticize the team during his time at Mercedes. © ANSA / SHAWN THEW

And then, for a moment, nothing is heard from the pit lane. "In the heat of the moment, you're never going to make the most peaceful announcements," Hamilton defended himself. Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur expressed sympathy for his drivers' distress, but didn't perceive any dawdling over the radio. "It took a lap, that's a minute and 30 seconds, to understand the situation, and then we asked them to swap places."

Next titleless season looms

It's no surprise that Hamilton, after twelve years at Mercedes, is struggling with his Ferrari. As frustrating as it may be, getting used to the new world takes time, even in the chronically impatient Formula 1.

Lewis Hamilton isn't quite up to speed in his Ferrari yet. © APA/afp / CHANDAN KHANNA

"You can't just come to a new team and be two or three tenths faster than your teammate, that's not possible," said Williams driver Carlos Sainz, who understands this a bit. He joined Ferrari in 2021 as Sebastian Vettel's successor and had to make way for Hamilton at the Scuderia before this season.

Leclerc has long since reached the limits of his car, Sainz explained. It will take time for Hamilton to reach the same limit. Ferrari will be competing in its home Formula 1 race at Imola in just two weeks. If the Tifosi have their way, enough time should have passed by then.