Lewis Hamilton Refuses to Apologise After Heated Ferrari Team Radio Exchanges in Miami
Lewis Hamilton has made it clear he will not be apologising for the tense radio communications he had with his Ferrari team during the Miami Grand Prix, insisting that his emotional response was purely a result of his fighting spirit on the track.
The seven-time Formula 1 world champion, who is still adjusting to life at Ferrari after his high-profile switch from Mercedes, became audibly frustrated over the team radio during Sunday’s race. Hamilton expressed dissatisfaction with the delay in team strategy decisions, particularly when he was stuck behind his teammate Charles Leclerc.
As he followed closely behind Leclerc, Hamilton made repeated requests to be allowed past, believing he had the pace advantage to challenge the cars ahead. However, Ferrari’s pit wall appeared hesitant, leading to a delay that sparked sarcastic and sharp remarks from the British driver.
“Do you want me just to sit here the whole race?” Hamilton asked over the radio, clearly annoyed by the lack of swift action. A short while later, he added with evident irritation: “This is not good teamwork. That’s all I’m going to say.”
Eventually, Leclerc was told to let Hamilton through, but the results did not play out as Hamilton had hoped. Despite being given clean air and an opportunity to push forward, Hamilton was unable to make significant progress up the field. Recognising that the gamble hadn’t paid off, Ferrari team principal Frédéric Vasseur decided to swap the drivers back in line with the team’s pre-agreed rules of engagement.
By the end of the race, Hamilton finished in eighth place after starting from 12th on the grid. His teammate Leclerc, who had qualified and started ahead of him, ended the race in seventh. The Miami Grand Prix itself was dominated by McLaren, with Australian driver Oscar Piastri taking the first win of his Formula 1 career, and teammate Lando Norris securing second in a commanding one-two finish for the team.
Despite the media attention on his radio exchanges, Hamilton was unrepentant after the race. When asked about his comments and whether he planned to offer an apology to the Ferrari team, Hamilton dismissed the idea. “I’m a fighter,” he explained. “I was just pushing hard. That’s what I do. When I feel something needs to be said, I say it. That’s how I’ve always raced.”
He went on to explain that his comments were made in the heat of the moment and were not intended to undermine the team. “It wasn’t about disrespect,” Hamilton clarified. “It was just frustration. We were in a tough spot, and I thought we had a better chance if we made a quicker call. But I trust the team, and we’ll move on and learn from it.”
Ferrari boss Fred Vasseur also played down the incident, insisting that emotional moments during races are a normal part of high-pressure competition. “We want our drivers to be passionate and push,” said Vasseur. “Lewis is a competitor, and that’s what makes him a champion. Of course, we’ll review things, but there’s no bad blood.”
Hamilton’s transition to Ferrari continues to draw global attention, as fans and pundits alike watch closely to see how he adapts to a new environment after more than a decade with Mercedes. While his Miami performance didn’t yield a podium finish, his determination and drive were on full display — even if it ruffled a few feathers on the team radio.
As the season progresses, all eyes will be on how Ferrari manages the internal dynamics between Hamilton and Leclerc, and whether they can deliver a car capable of challenging the dominant forces in the paddock, such as McLaren and Red Bull.
