Lewis Hamilton ‘annoyed’ in Chinese GP media pen an…read more
Lewis Hamilton recently expressed frustration regarding his radio exchanges with Ferrari engineer Riccardo Adami, which were aired during the Australian Grand Prix. The incident led to some speculation that the two might have a strained relationship, a suggestion that Hamilton found particularly annoying. Ted Kravitz, speaking on Sky Sports F1’s ‘Notebook,’ shared insights into Hamilton’s mood ahead of the Chinese Grand Prix, offering a behind-the-scenes account of the situation.
Kravitz recalled his conversation with Hamilton on Thursday, the day before the Chinese Grand Prix. As the first reporter to approach Hamilton in the media pen, Kravitz immediately sensed that something was bothering the British driver. Hamilton seemed upset, though he didn’t openly express the source of his frustration at first. It wasn’t until later in the day, when an Austrian journalist, who was working on a feature about engineers, asked Hamilton about the radio exchange, that the issue became clear. Hamilton revealed that he was annoyed by the way the media had interpreted his conversation with Adami, particularly the way it was presented.
The radio messages in question were broadcasted during the Australian Grand Prix, and they showed Hamilton telling his engineer, Adami, to only provide him with information when it was absolutely necessary. This exchange led some to speculate that there might be tension between the two, suggesting a less-than-ideal working relationship. However, Hamilton felt that this interpretation was unfair and misleading. He emphasized that, like any professional driver, he simply wanted to focus on driving and didn’t need unnecessary information coming through during the race.
Kravitz noted that this wasn’t the first time such radio exchanges had been scrutinized, but the negative reaction this time seemed to particularly upset Hamilton. The driver felt that the media’s portrayal of the situation painted a picture of conflict where none existed, as he and Adami simply had a routine discussion that was blown out of proportion.
Despite this frustration, Hamilton’s performance at the Chinese Grand Prix showcased his resilience. After a strong sprint race victory, he looked in better spirits and more focused than he had the previous week. However, his qualifying result for the main race wasn’t as ideal, with Hamilton set to start from fifth on the grid. Nonetheless, his overall demeanor suggested that he was more prepared for the challenge than he had been at the Australian Grand Prix, where his exchanges with Adami had created unnecessary tension.
Kravitz concluded that while Hamilton’s annoyance with the media was understandable, the incident highlighted how easily radio messages could be misinterpreted. Hamilton’s desire to focus on his driving, rather than unnecessary chatter, was a reasonable one and should not be seen as a sign of friction with his engineer.
