Why one Lewis Hamilton radio message in Miami won’t have gone down well at Ferrari. Ferrari head into their home race at Imola under pressure.

Ferrari Face Growing Internal Pressure as Hamilton’s Miami Radio Remarks Reportedly Cause Friction

Ferrari are heading into their first home race of the 2025 Formula 1 season—the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix—under mounting pressure, both on and off the track. While the anticipation of racing in front of the passionate Tifosi at Imola usually brings optimism, the current situation within the Scuderia is far from ideal.

Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton will line up in a car that appears unlikely to challenge for pole position, and possibly not even a podium. So far this season, Ferrari’s performance has fallen short of expectations. Leclerc delivered the team’s only Grand Prix podium with a solid drive in Saudi Arabia, while Hamilton has shone primarily during Sprint events, securing victory in China and a commendable third place in Miami.

Despite those flashes of competitiveness, team principal Frédéric Vasseur has had few moments of genuine satisfaction this season. Ferrari’s SF-25 has yet to prove it can consistently compete with the frontrunners, and major upgrades are on hold until the team resolves several fundamental performance issues.

Beyond car performance, Ferrari’s strategic execution and internal communication remain areas of concern. These issues do not require months of technical development but rather sharper race-day decision-making—something that was placed under the spotlight once again in Miami.

Lewis Hamilton’s strategic insight during the Miami Sprint Race earned praise, but the Grand Prix itself exposed gaps in Ferrari’s responsiveness under pressure. The British driver made a pointed remark over team radio during Sunday’s race that reportedly did not sit well with Ferrari’s senior figures.

During a discussion on ESPN’s Unlapped podcast, journalist Nate Saunders revealed how Hamilton’s sarcastic radio comment—suggesting he could take a “tea break” while waiting for team instructions—likely ruffled feathers within the Maranello camp. Saunders explained that this moment, combined with Hamilton’s earlier complaints about slow communication in China, underscored a growing disconnect between driver and team.

He pointed out that Lewis Hamilton, used to the seamless communication he enjoyed with his long-time Mercedes race engineer Peter Bonnington, may find Ferrari’s current system less responsive. At Mercedes, Lewis Hamilton and Bonnington had developed a rapport that allowed for intense, even blunt, exchanges without losing mutual respect or effectiveness.

According to Saunders, Ferrari’s internal culture may not be as tolerant of public sarcasm or critical commentary, especially when aired during races. He suggested that several team members would have taken Hamilton’s remarks personally, as open criticism—especially in a tone perceived as mocking—is often poorly received within Ferrari’s traditionally hierarchical and image-conscious structure.

Hamilton’s frustrations seemed rooted in a feeling of helplessness during the race. As Saunders noted, the seven-time world champion was left questioning his strategy and feeling as though the race was slipping out of his hands due to slow or unclear instructions from the pit wall.

As Ferrari prepare for their high-stakes appearance at Imola, these internal tensions could become increasingly difficult to ignore. With no immediate technical breakthroughs on the horizon, the team must focus on tightening race-day operations and strengthening trust between engineers and drivers—particularly with a high-profile addition like Hamilton now part of the equation.

Ferrari’s challenge at Imola will not only be about pace. It will also be a test of unity, communication, and the ability to adapt under scrutiny—something they’ll need to master quickly if they hope to keep internal frustrations from spilling further into the public eye.