Lewis Hamilton slams Ferrari’s strategy over team radio at Australian Grand Prix as he loses patience with race engineer

Lewis Hamilton’s Frustration with Ferrari’s Strategy at the Australian Grand Prix: A Debut Marred by Communication Struggles
Lewis Hamilton’s highly anticipated debut for Ferrari at the Australian Grand Prix did not go as planned, as the seven-time Formula One champion found himself frustrated with both the car’s performance and the team’s strategy. During a series of blunt radio exchanges with his race engineer Riccardo Adami, Hamilton’s disappointment was evident as he struggled with drivability issues and felt key strategic opportunities were missed.

High Expectations, Disappointing Results

Heading into the season-opening race at Albert Park, expectations were sky-high for Hamilton and his teammate Charles Leclerc. The British driver’s move to Ferrari was one of the most talked-about transfers in recent F1 history, and fans eagerly awaited his first competitive outing in the iconic red car. However, rather than fighting for a podium finish, Hamilton endured a race filled with frustration, ultimately finishing in 10th place—two spots behind Leclerc.
Meanwhile, McLaren’s Lando Norris secured a remarkable victory, fending off Red Bull’s Max Verstappen in a dramatic and incident-packed race. While Ferrari struggled, the performance of Norris and McLaren further highlighted the Scuderia’s shortcomings.

Tense Radio Exchanges: A Sign of Frustration

One of the biggest talking points from the Australian Grand Prix was Hamilton’s terse radio communication with Adami. The exchanges painted a picture of a driver struggling with his car and seeking clarity from his team, only to grow increasingly irritated by the responses he received.
At one point, Hamilton was informed that he had dropped to ninth place, prompting an expletive-laden response over the team radio. His frustration was compounded by issues with car stability and strategic decisions that didn’t go as expected.

Notable Radio Excerpts:

Hamilton: “Let me know where I am slow. Struggling with drive-ability. The car is snappy.”
Adami: “Turns 11 and 12… you can use K1 when you are close.”
Hamilton: “Leave me to it, please.”
Adami: “K1 available.”
Hamilton: “Yes, I know. Leave me to it, please.”
Later in the race, Hamilton reported an issue with gear synchronization and once again urged Adami to let him handle things on his own.
Hamilton: “Please leave it. Just leave me to it with the DRS. It’s not an issue.”
Adami: “Try to hold the K1. Just for practice. I know it’s difficult.”
Hamilton: “I’m not close enough! I’m not close enough. When I’m close, I’ll do it.”
His frustration peaked when he felt the team had misjudged the changing weather conditions, leading to what he believed was a lost opportunity.
Hamilton: “I thought you said it wasn’t going to rain much? We just missed a big opportunity there.”
Adami: “Understood.”

Post-Race Reflections: A Tough Debut

After crossing the finish line in 10th, Hamilton reflected on what had been a difficult race. Speaking to Sky Sports, he admitted that his Ferrari had been extremely difficult to handle and that the race turned out worse than he had expected.
“It was very tricky,” Hamilton said. “It went a lot worse than I thought it would go, the car was really hard to drive today. I’m grateful I kept it out of the wall—that’s where it wanted to go most of the time.”
He also touched on how the team’s weather guidance played a role in his disappointment.
“A lot to take in—different power unit in the wet, different driving and setup on the steering wheel. And the guidance of how much more rain was coming… we missed out.”
“The information I got was that it was a short shower, and real quick, and it was just the last corner. But then more came.”

Finding the Right Communication Balance

Former F1 driver Karun Chandhok, analyzing the situation on Sky Sports, pointed out that the dynamic between Hamilton and Adami is still in its early stages, and adjustments need to be made.
“One thing that came from the radio messages that we played was that he and Adami need more time to understand how much communication Lewis wants, and what type,” Chandhok explained.
“There were a number of times where he would say ‘tell me something,’ then they would give him information, then he’d say ‘too much, leave it to me.’ They just need to build that bond.”
Chandhok emphasized the importance of race engineers and drivers establishing a strong working relationship, something that takes time to develop.
“Race drivers and their engineers will spend more time together than with their partners throughout the season. But they are still at Round 1. They need to find their feet, and understand. And maybe have a conversation before China.”
Chandhok suggested that Ferrari should have a discussion with Hamilton before the next race to refine their communication strategy.
“I’ll be interested to hear the radio in China to see if it’s different. Have a conversation to say, ‘I need this, this, and this. I don’t need you to hold my hand.’ When the adrenaline is pumping, it’s frustrating. But keep perspective.”
He also pointed out that Adami is likely still used to working with Carlos Sainz, who has been his driver for three years, and must now adjust to Hamilton’s different style of communication.
“They are figuring out how to communicate. Adami has probably communicated that way with Carlos Sainz for three years. He’s just carrying on what he feels is natural. But he’s dealing with a different animal now. Lewis needs a different type of communication.”
Chandhok even drew a parallel with Hamilton’s early years at Mercedes, suggesting that it took time for him to develop the strong understanding he eventually had with his longtime race engineer, Peter Bonnington.
“I bet if we had access to the 2013 Mercedes radio, he and Bono wouldn’t have been flowing as they were years later.”

Looking Ahead: Adjustments Needed

While Hamilton’s Ferrari debut didn’t go as planned, the season is still young. The Australian Grand Prix was the first real test of the new driver-engineer relationship, and growing pains were to be expected.
If Hamilton and Adami can refine their communication and Ferrari can address some of the car’s issues, the Scuderia still has time to turn things around. All eyes will be on the next race in China to see if lessons have been learned from this frustrating weekend in Melbourne.