Ferrari friction in Miami: Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc clash but end with respectful gesture. Tension flared between Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc during the Miami GP.

Rain and friction marked the Miami GP, and within the Ferrari garage, it was Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc at odds. Despite the internal battle, the photos of a conciliatory moment after the race offered a glimmer of hope. The two Ferrari drivers swapped positions twice in a bid to chase down Andrea Kimi Antonelli for sixth place. On track, the Mercedes rookie prevailed, while over the radio, tempers flared.

Statements like “We’re not doing a good job as a team,” “Have a tea break while you’re at it,” and “Do you want me to let Carlos Sainz through as well?” gave a clear picture of Lewis Hamilton’s mood. His race was defensive, hampered by difficulties overtaking Esteban Ocon for tenth place, then momentarily aided by a Virtual Safety Car that brought both Ferrari SF-25 cars closer to the front.

A battle between Leclerc and Carlos Sainz opened the door for Hamilton to take eighth, right behind his teammate, who was on the harder compound tyres. Lewis Hamilton’s request came immediately and was direct: he wanted to be let through, claiming he was faster. But the pit wall hesitated, waiting a few laps, during which Lewis Hamilton could feel his tyres losing grip. By the time he was finally allowed to pass, the window of opportunity seemed to have closed.

Charles Leclerc then stuck closely behind, and before long, he was the one asking to be let through. The morale in the cockpit dropped, frustration spilled into more sarcastic radio comments, and there were real concerns that the relationship between the two Ferrari drivers might have been damaged.

Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc: United for Ferrari’s Rebuild
After the race, however, a gesture reassured fans and insiders alike: a hug, a shared look, and the tension began to dissolve. Lewis Hamilton later explained that the frustration behind the wheel was born from his desire to fight and win. Emotions were difficult to contain despite his trust in the team, his teammate, and team principal Frédéric Vasseur. Cooler heads prevailed once the chequered flag fell.

That sense of calm, though, still needs transformation. Words like “potential” and “upgrades” now blend into the simplest plea a driver can make to their team: give me a car that can win. At present, the SF-25 is not that car. New components are expected, and Europe will reveal the truth — whether Ferrari can return to the fight or if they must begin thinking ahead to 2026.

 

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