Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur has strongly criticized Formula One’s handling of the Chinese Grand Prix broadcast, calling it “a joke” after the international feed omitted a crucial radio message from Lewis Hamilton regarding an incident involving Charles Leclerc.
The race at the Shanghai International Circuit proved to be a challenging one for Hamilton, who finished sixth behind Oscar Piastri, Lando Norris, George Russell, Max Verstappen, and Leclerc. The seven-time world champion struggled with his pace and, after an early collision with Leclerc on the opening lap, ultimately chose to let his Ferrari teammate through for fifth place.
However, what frustrated Vasseur was the way Formula One Management (FOM) presented the situation to viewers. While Hamilton had voluntarily offered to swap positions with Leclerc, this key moment was left out of the broadcast. Instead, the international feed only captured the later radio exchanges between Hamilton and his race engineer Riccardo Adami, creating what Vasseur believes was an unnecessary controversy.
Vasseur Calls Out F1 for Manipulating the Narrative
Speaking to reporters after the race, the Ferrari boss did not hold back in his criticism of the way the incident was portrayed.
“This is a joke from FOM because the first call came from Lewis to swap. Lewis suggested it,” Vasseur stated. “But to make the show, to create the mess around the situation, they did not broadcast the first part of the exchange. So I will discuss it with them.”
The Frenchman went on to emphasize that Ferrari’s priority remains teamwork and ensuring the best possible outcome for the team, regardless of how the broadcast presents certain moments.
“We have to work for the team and consider the best thing for Ferrari. The collaboration between the two guys (Hamilton and Leclerc) is mega, and I cannot complain about it,” he added.
Instead of showcasing Hamilton’s initial message, the broadcast picked up only on the latter part of the conversation, where Adami was heard instructing Hamilton to swap positions at Turn 14. Hamilton responded by saying he was closing in on Mercedes driver George Russell and would allow Leclerc through when the timing was right. Moments later, after receiving another call to swap, Hamilton replied, “I’ll tell you when we can swap,” before ultimately moving aside to let Leclerc pass.
Post-Race Disqualifications Add to the Drama
The controversy surrounding the race did not end with the broadcast. In the aftermath of the Chinese Grand Prix, it was confirmed that both Charles Leclerc and Pierre Gasly had been disqualified due to their cars being found underweight. Hamilton also faced disqualification for excessive skid wear on his Mercedes.
In an official statement, the FIA explained the reason behind Hamilton’s disqualification:
“The plank assembly of Car 44 (Lewis Hamilton) was measured and found to be 8.6mm (LHS), 8.6mm (car centerline), and 8.5mm (RHS). This is below the minimum thickness of 9mm specified under Article 3.5.9 of the Technical Regulations.”
The FIA further noted that the team had confirmed the accuracy of the measurements and admitted that the issue was due to an unintentional error rather than any external factors.
“During the hearing, the team representative confirmed that the measurement is correct and that all required procedures were performed correctly. The team also acknowledged that there were no mitigating circumstances and that it was a genuine error by the team,” the statement added.
A Race to Forget for Hamilton and Ferrari
For Hamilton, the Chinese Grand Prix turned from an already frustrating race into a complete disaster, with his sixth-place finish being stripped away after the post-race technical checks. Meanwhile, Ferrari also suffered a blow with Leclerc’s disqualification, further compounding their frustrations.
Vasseur’s frustration with FOM’s handling of the broadcast highlights a broader issue within the sport—how incidents are presented to the audience. The selective editing of radio communications can shape narratives and create unnecessary drama, something that Vasseur clearly believes was at play in Shanghai.
As Formula One heads to its next race, Ferrari will be eager to move past the disappointment in China, while the controversy surrounding the broadcast raises questions about how the sport manages transparency in its storytelling.
Ferrari publicly call out F1 broadcasters for what they did during Chinese Grand Prix amid Lewis Hamilton ‘swap’ drama
