Hamilton and Leclerc lose patience as Ferrari struggles with strategy in Miami

Ferrari disappointed on multiple fronts during the Miami Grand Prix. When it comes to performance, the SF-25 showed a strange edition considering that it was fighting for victory in Jeddah.

Overall, the Italian team was only fourth fastest on the grid, which is considered a clear failure considering the expected progress in 2024. However, what was in focus in Miami was the poor strategy and communication of the team from Maranello.

Lewis Hamilton has made it clear that he will not apologize for direct messages over the team's radio link because he wants to win, not fight for the bottom positions, something his team-mate Charles Leclerc agrees with.

I could have said much worse things over the radio

Perhaps more than any other team, Ferrari has built a reputation on its strategic mistakes. Already at the first race in Australia, both Hamilton and Leclerc were seriously compromised by the team's refusal to switch to intermediate tyres.

Hamilton was quick to defend Ferrari against criticism over the team's communication. However, the narrative around Ferrari has become much more negative since then. Their lack of performance has clearly frustrated both drivers.

Charles Leclerc

Even Charles Leclerc, who is known for always defending Ferrari, is losing patience. In this context, Ferrari's slow reaction to not swap Hamilton and Leclerc quickly enough in Miami (which cost Hamilton the chance to catch Antonelli) has drawn widespread criticism.

The seven-time world champion was very unhappy with the way the Italian team handled the events of the Miami Grand Prix, making it clear that he will not give up on his intentions because he wants to be on top.

"Fred came to my room. I just put my hand on his shoulder and said: 'Man, calm down. Don't be so sensitive. I could have said a lot worse things on the radio,'" Hamilton told Sky F1.

“You’ve heard what some of the others have said in the past. Part of it was irony. You have to understand that we’re under enormous pressure in the car. You’re never going to hear the calmest messages in the heat of battle,” he notes.

“I don’t know what you’re going to write, or whether I was disrespectful, but honestly – I don’t feel like I was. I just said: come on guys, I want to win. I still have that fire in me.”

“I felt a part of that came out then. And I’m not going to apologize for being a fighter. I’m not going to apologize for still wanting to,” Lewis Hamilton stressed.