Lewis Hamilton’s first race with Ferrari during the Australian Grand Prix didn’t quite go as expected. This disappointment, however, was not the sole source of his vexation. According to Sky Sports F1 pundit Ted Kravitz, Hamilton’s agitation was primarily due to the media’s interpretation and portrayal of his radio communications with race engineer Riccardo Adami.
Hamilton’s performance in Melbourne led to an eruption of debate and speculation. The seven-time World Champion finished in 10th place amidst challenging conditions, including a difficult qualifying session and an unexpected rainstorm. This less than stellar debut brought him under the scrutinizing spotlight of the media and fans alike.
A focal point of these discussions was Hamilton’s interaction with Adami during the race. Adami’s advice on overtaking, DRS, and weather was met with Hamilton’s repeated request to let him handle the situation. By the end of the race, it was evident that Hamilton was irked, expressing his frustration about the team’s “missed opportunity.”
The media, quick to pounce on this tension, began to speculate about a possible communication breakdown between Hamilton and Adami. Conversations revolved around whether Hamilton could have shown more respect, or whether there was already a considerable communication rift between him and his new team. Hamilton, on his part, voiced his discontentment with the media, alluding to other drivers with worse radio manners than his own.
Ahead of the Chinese Grand Prix, Hamilton’s annoyance with the media was clearly visible. Kravitz, recalling his interaction with Hamilton, said, “When he came to the pen on Thursday, I was the first person who spoke to him. I could tell he was annoyed about something.”
The cause of Hamilton’s frustration became clear when an Austrian journalist asked a question about his relationship with the engineers. According to Kravitz, Hamilton was upset that people were interpreting his radio communications with Adami as indicative of a strained relationship.
However, Hamilton didn’t let this frustration hamper his performance at the Chinese Grand Prix. On the contrary, he channelled this annoyance into motivation, claiming a sprint victory from pole position. This triumph and his improved communication with Adami put to rest any speculations about their working relationship.
In sum, while Hamilton’s debut with Ferrari was not without its challenges, his frustrations were largely directed at the media’s portrayal of his relationship with Adami rather than his own performance. His victory at the Chinese Grand Prix serves as a robust retort to his critics, underlining his determination and resilience.