Lewis Hamilton was left frustrated during the Miami Grand Prix as he struggled to make his way through the field, with the Ferrari driver letting his feelings be known on team radio
Another critical Lewis Hamilton radio conversation missed by the TV broadcast has emerged after the Miami Grand Prix. The seven-time champ finished in a disappointing eighth place, having trouble overtaking slower opposition such as Esteban Ocon in the Haas and narrowly leading the Williams of Carlos Sainz over the finish line.
Even within the Ferrari team, friction arose when Hamilton found himself delayed by his team-mate Charles Leclerc, who was struggling on worn tyres. Eventually, he was allowed to pass, but without gaining traction, they reversed roles once more before the race ended.
Hamilton’s radio messages ended up taking the headlines due to his blunt criticism of Ferrari. One particularly sarcastic message saw the Brit ask if he should allow Sainz to pass him too, after he had been told to give the place back to team-mate Leclerc.
But another crucial exchange came much earlier, on lap 26 of the race. In conversation with race engineer Riccardo Adami, which was missed by the Sky Sports broadcast, Hamilton expressed his bewilderment at the car’s performance.
“How is this pace? I can’t really go any quicker,” he asked. And to that Adami pointed out that his speed was slightly better than Leclerc’s as he said: “Now it’s 32.6, and Charles 32.7.”
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Yet, Hamilton remained dissatisfied, noting “My tyres are pretty poor. In general, a little bit of understeer here, but I don’t know what to say.” reports the Express.
It was later, with a touch of irony, Hamilton suggested his team might as well enjoy a “tea break” while deciding whether to switch places with Leclerc again. Despite the tension, he declined to recant his blunt remarks, attributing them to his desire to compete at the top.
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“I’ve still got my fire in my belly, I could feel a bit of it really coming up there,” Hamilton said. “I’m not going to apologise for being a fighter. I’m not going to apologise for still wanting it. I know everyone in the team does, too.
“I didn’t think the decision came quick enough. And for sure, in that time you’re like, ‘Come on!’, but that’s really kind of it. I have no problems with the team or with Charles. I think we could do better, but the car is not where we really need to be. Ultimately, we’re fighting for seventh and eighth.”
After the race, Hamilton downplayed his radio outbursts, mentioning that Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur visited him. “Fred came to my room,” he said. “I just put my hand on his shoulder and told him, ‘Dude, calm down, don’t be so sensitive’. I could have said way worse things on the radio.
“You hear some of the things other people have said in the past. Some of it was sarcasm. You’ve got to understand, we’re under a huge amount of pressure. You’re never going to get the most peaceful messages come through in the heat of the battle.”
