Lewis Hamilton surprises F1 paddock with unusual behaviour not seen in years at Spanish GP

Lewis Hamilton’s Unusual Spanish GP Paddock Entrance Raises Eyebrows Amid Ferrari Tensions

Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton was quick to leave the spotlight following the conclusion of the Spanish Grand Prix, avoiding any prolonged stay in the paddock after another frustrating race weekend. As Charles Leclerc celebrated Ferrari’s third podium finish of the 2025 season, Hamilton was noticeably absent from the post-race celebrations. Despite achieving two top-three finishes this year, both came during Sprint races—which award significantly fewer points—leaving the seven-time world champion still without a full Grand Prix podium in 2025.

The Spanish Grand Prix had seemed like a promising opportunity for Hamilton to end that drought. He made an aggressive and well-executed pass on Mercedes driver George Russell on the opening lap, suggesting a strong run could be on the cards. However, hopes of securing a place as the best of the rest behind the dominant McLaren duo quickly unraveled.

Max Verstappen’s overtake on Lando Norris early in the race allowed the Dutchman to create a considerable gap at the front, while Hamilton found himself unable to maintain competitive pace. His struggles also affected his teammate’s race, as Charles Leclerc was heard over team radio urging Ferrari to instruct Hamilton to let him pass, citing that the Briton’s slower pace was compromising his own race strategy.

Lewis Hamilton’s disappointing performance was compounded in the final stages when he was overtaken by Nico Hülkenberg, who was running on significantly fresher tyres. The move drew a visible reaction from fans, many of whom were dismayed to see the multiple world champion being passed so late in the race by a Sauber.

Amid the on-track setbacks, Lewis Hamilton drew additional attention for an unusual moment in the paddock before the race even began. Renowned Formula 1 photographer Kym Illman noted a surprising change in Hamilton’s pre-race routine—something not seen for quite some time. According to Kym Illman, Lewis Hamilton arrived at the paddock by driving almost directly up to the entrance gate, which security personnel opened specially for him. This allowed him to exit his car in a relatively secluded area, where only a handful of media members were present.

Kym Illman explained that Lewis Hamilton briefly interacted with a few individuals before his personal security guard produced an umbrella to shield him from photographers. This act of intentionally avoiding the media was characterized by Illman as highly unorthodox and not typical of any other driver on the grid. He described the incident as reminiscent of older Hamilton behavior that had not been observed in several seasons.

Later that same day, as photographers gathered near the pit lane gate, the Briton reportedly paused momentarily and acknowledged the media presence. However, he soon opted to take an alternate route, walking behind his security guard with his phone raised to obscure his face before disappearing into the Ferrari garage. Notably, Lewis Hamilton was wearing official Ferrari attire, although Kym Illman suggested that the Briton has a special arrangement with the team allowing him to wear fashion-oriented clothing on select days throughout the season.

This level of media avoidance, according to the Australian motorsport photographer, entrepreneur and YouTuber, is not something commonly seen with any other Formula 1 driver. He acknowledged, however, that after so many years in the spotlight, the constant scrutiny could understandably feel exhausting for Hamilton, especially as he navigates the final chapters of a high-profile career.

Meanwhile, tensions appear to be simmering within the Ferrari camp regarding the strategic direction of the team. Lewis Hamilton has yet to match the expectations set when he joined the Scuderia, while Charles Leclerc continues to extend his advantage over his new teammate in the drivers’ standings. Though the Monegasque has only been a genuine victory contender once—at the Monaco Grand Prix—his consistency has outshone Hamilton’s results so far.

At the core of Ferrari’s internal debate is the looming overhaul of Formula 1 regulations in 2026. While some teams are already beginning to shift their focus to the next development cycle, Ferrari has so far maintained its commitment to the current car. This approach, however, is reportedly not shared by Hamilton, who believes it is time for the team to prioritize preparations for 2026.

The philosophical divide between Lewis Hamilton and team principal Fred Vasseur is beginning to show. Sources suggest that the two figures are not aligned on how Ferrari should allocate its resources moving forward. Lewis Hamilton is said to favor a proactive transition toward future regulations, while Fred Vasseur remains determined to continue fighting for results in the present.

Unless a consensus is reached soon, the disconnect between Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari leadership could risk further strain on a partnership still in its early stages. With McLaren and Red Bull continuing to pull ahead, internal unity may prove just as critical to Ferrari’s future as technical performance.