Lewis Hamilton has addressed the tension-filled exchange with his Ferrari race engineer, Riccardo Adami, during the Austrian Grand Prix, offering a candid assessment of the team’s mid-race strategy call.
The seven-time World Champion, still searching for his first podium with Ferrari, experienced another frustrating weekend as the team opted for a two-stop strategy that clashed with Hamilton's preference to extend his stint. Though the disagreement played out live over team radio, Hamilton eventually complied — and later admitted the decision may have been justified.
Mid-race tensions erupt over strategy call
As the Austrian GP progressed into its critical phase, Hamilton was managing his tyres and believed he could stretch his stint. Over the radio, he questioned the team’s call:
“My tyres are okay. Can I extend? How many more laps left?”
Adami responded assertively:
“And box, 20 laps.”
Lewis Hamilton, unwilling to yield, shot back:
“I don’t want to stop.”
But Ferrari doubled down on their decision:
“Box, box.”
Despite the disagreement, Hamilton eventually pitted and rejoined in fourth position — which is where he finished, behind teammate Charles Leclerc.
Lewis Hamilton Reflects: 'Probably the right call'
Post-race, Hamilton admitted that although he believed a one-stop strategy could have worked, Ferrari’s call proved to be sound.
“In the end, I saw that the decision taken was probably the right one,” he told DAZN F1.
That moment of concession, though, didn’t mask his broader struggles adapting to life at Ferrari and the SF-25. Eleven races in, Lewis Hamilton remains without a top-three finish, while Leclerc has collected four podiums and sits 28 points ahead in the Drivers’ Championship.
Struggles With SF-25 Continue
Despite updates to the SF-25 ahead of the Austrian GP, Hamilton continues to feel disconnected from the car’s performance.
“I generally struggle to drive this car in the race,” he revealed. “I had issues with understeer, oversteer, and the brakes overheating. On a track like this, you need stability and rotation, and I just couldn’t get it.”
Eyes on Silverstone for redemption
Next up is Lewis Hamilton’s home race at Silverstone — a venue where he’s enjoyed a record nine wins. With mounting pressure and the British crowd behind him, the Grand Prix could offer a pivotal turning point in what has so far been a turbulent start to his Ferrari chapter.