Miami, Florida – The aftermath of the Miami Grand Prix has sparked calls for heightened internal discussions at Ferrari, as drivers Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc express their dissatisfaction over the team’s strategy during the race. Both drivers finished in the lower points, with Leclerc securing seventh place and Hamilton in eighth, a result that fell short of their expectations.
The race saw Ferrari making contentious team orders, swapping positions between Hamilton and Leclerc in an attempt to improve their standing against Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli. Yet, both drivers voiced frustration over the decision-making that cost them valuable time on the track. Hamilton, who felt he had the faster car due to an alternate tire strategy, indicated that clearer decisions should have been made earlier regarding their positions.
“I think a decision should have been taken sooner,” Hamilton shared in an interview. His comments about being held back highlighted the tension between pursuing individual speed versus team strategy. He acknowledged that the confusing swaps not only slowed them down but also left them questioning the overall direction of their racing goals.
For his part, Leclerc echoed Hamilton’s sentiment. He admitted that the strategic moves made by the team during the race did not yield the desired results, stating that they “definitely have to talk about it internally.” Leclerc emphasized the importance of analyzing their decisions to avoid similar pitfalls in future races, asserting that improvement is crucial for the team’s success.
Ferrari’s team principal, Fred Vasseur, recognized the drivers’ frustrations yet praised their compliance with the team’s orders. He noted that while team dynamics can complicate operations during a race, the adjustments were intended for maximizing their chances against opponents. Vasseur maintained that both Hamilton and Leclerc executed the strategies as instructed, albeit with mixed outcomes.
Despite the setbacks, Hamilton’s performance during the Miami Sprint race served as a brief highlight for Ferrari, where he secured a third-place finish after a shrewd mid-race decision to switch to dry tires. However, the overall weekend was marred by Leclerc’s crash prior to the mini-race and the disappointing outcomes in the main event. Vasseur acknowledged that the results fell short of expectations but pointed out that their pacing was competitive against Red Bull and Mercedes.
As both drivers look ahead, there’s a collective understanding that constructive discussions are needed to recalibrate their approach. The events in Miami reflect broader challenges the team faces in balancing individual performance with collaborative strategy. Moving forward, both Hamilton and Leclerc are focused on improvement, ready to work closely with Ferrari to refine their tactics in pursuit of higher placements in future races.