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Ferrari Slams F1’s Radio Message Strategy: The Drama Behind Hamilton-Leclerc Swap in Chinese Grand Prix

Carl Harrison by Carl Harrison
March 23, 2025
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 2 mins read
0
Ferrari Slams F1’s Radio Message Strategy: The Drama Behind Hamilton-Leclerc Swap in Chinese Grand Prix
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Ferrari has voiced its dissatisfaction with Formula 1’s approach to broadcasting radio messages, labeling the practice as “a joke.” The Italian team believes the selective broadcasting of the radio exchanges between Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc during the Chinese Grand Prix was a calculated move to create unnecessary drama.

Hamilton, who had been challenged throughout the Shanghai race by Leclerc, initially proposed a position swap after struggling to maintain pace. Despite this, the message was not aired internationally. The British driver’s request was followed by instructions to manage tyre wear at high speed and to swap positions at Turn 14, but these exchanges were also omitted from the broadcast.

The drama unfolded when Hamilton, who had managed to overtake Aston Martin driver Lance Stroll at Turn 14, did not immediately swap positions with Leclerc, who lagged behind after only passing Stroll two corners later. The delay in the position swap and selective omission of certain communications led to perceived tension.

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Fred Vasseur, Ferrari boss, expressed his frustration at how the situation was presented. “The first call came from Lewis – that Lewis asked us to swap,” Vasseur said. “But to make the show, they broadcast only the second part of the question.”

In the later stages of the race, Ferrari’s strategic decision to call Hamilton in for a second pitstop ensured he finished behind Max Verstappen. Although Hamilton queried whether he would regain his position if Leclerc failed to catch up, this was not pursued further during the race.

Despite Verstappen’s late overtake on Leclerc providing an opportunity for Ferrari to swap positions, the team decided against it. Hamilton showed no signs of resentment post-race, even offering a positive radio message.

Vasseur insisted the outcome would have been the same, regardless of who initiated the swap, as both drivers were committed to the team’s success. He emphasized the importance of working for the team’s best interests, a sentiment agreed upon by the drivers before the race.

Vasseur linked this incident to previous exaggerated coverage of Hamilton’s radio discussions with race engineer Riccardo Adami during the season-opening race in Australia. The Ferrari boss laughed off concerns about the dramatic portrayal of these exchanges, citing them as an attempt to create a narrative.

In response to the numerous queries about the situation, Vasseur stated, “It’s Lewis who asked to swap. I’m not even sure you will have this kind of situation ten times during the season in other teams. And honestly from the pitwall, we really appreciated the call from Lewis to say ‘Guys, I’m losing pace, I’m keen to swap.'”

Vasseur praised the collaboration between the drivers, saying, “I can’t complain a single second about something.” He concluded by suggesting questions about the broadcast should be directed to Stefano Domenicali, the F1 boss, as he is not in charge of it.

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