Miami Grand Prix: Leclerc and Hamilton Face Strategy Controversy
At the Miami Grand Prix, Ferrari teammates Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton encountered a contentious race strategy that saw them swap positions on two occasions. Despite tensions, Leclerc stated he harbors “no bad feelings” toward Hamilton regarding the team’s tactical decisions.
During the race, Hamilton, utilizing medium tires, expressed frustration via team radio over his inability to overtake Leclerc, who was on hard tires. His complaints highlighted a collective strategy issue as he was repeatedly held back, leading to visible exasperation on his part.
Ultimately, Leclerc was instructed to permit Hamilton to pass. However, the situation shifted again when Leclerc failed to catch André Kimi Antonelli in P6, resulting in the positions being reversed.
Leclerc clarified post-race that he was unaware of Hamilton’s on-track frustrations and emphasized the need for Ferrari to improve its strategies. “I understand that he wanted to try and do something different… so there’s no bad feelings with Lewis,” Leclerc commented. He acknowledged that he would have pursued an aggressive strategy if he were in Hamilton’s position.
Reflecting on the race dynamics, Leclerc noted, “We need to do better, that’s for sure. Today was not ideal and was far from maximizing our potential.” He called for improved communication in similar scenarios, citing that the team’s decisions during strategy swaps require more thorough discussion.
Leclerc also revealed frustrations related to tire management while battling for P8, mentioning his struggles with the car in the dirty air behind Hamilton. “The radio is not always the real picture,” he added, highlighting the complexity of managing race strategy amid competitive pressures.
As Ferrari looks forward, the team recognizes the necessity for robust strategic frameworks to ensure better outcomes in future races.
