In a dramatic turn of events at the Australian Grand Prix, both Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc were left fuming after Ferrari’s race strategy came under intense scrutiny, with both drivers openly expressing their frustration. What was expected to be a thrilling battle for podium positions turned into a nightmare for the Scuderia team, as their questionable strategic decisions led to disastrous results that were impossible to ignore.

The Australian GP: A Disastrous Weekend for Ferrari

The 2025 Australian Grand Prix was shaping up to be a defining race for many teams, especially Ferrari, who had made bold claims about improving their performance. However, what transpired on race day was far from the outcome anyone had hoped for. Both Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz found themselves on the wrong side of crucial strategy calls, leaving them frustrated and powerless as the race unfolded.

The tipping point came during a crucial pit stop sequence, where Ferrari’s decision to keep their drivers out on older tires for longer than necessary caused both Leclerc and Sainz to lose crucial track positions. As tire degradation set in, their lap times plummeted, with both drivers slipping further down the order while rivals like Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen made swift progress after their pit stops.

Hamilton and Leclerc’s Outrage

Lewis Hamilton, who was racing for Mercedes, wasted no time expressing his frustration over Ferrari’s race strategy. As the race came to a close, Hamilton—who had moved up to a podium position—was asked about the strategic mishaps he witnessed from his rival team. “It was a complete mess,” Hamilton said in the post-race interview. “I don’t know what Ferrari was thinking. They had all the tools to compete, but their decisions were unacceptable. It’s a shame because Leclerc is one of the best drivers out there, and he deserves better.”

Hamilton’s candid comments mirrored the sentiments shared by Charles Leclerc, who was visibly furious after the race. Leclerc, who had been running in a competitive position before the pit stop disaster, could not hide his displeasure. “It’s beyond frustrating,” Leclerc told reporters. “The team had every opportunity to get it right, but instead, they made a strategy decision that ruined our race. I’ve been with Ferrari for years, but this is not good enough. We can’t afford mistakes like this.”

Leclerc also took to social media after the race, posting a statement that conveyed his anger and disappointment. “Today’s performance was unacceptable. We’re all here to fight for the best results, and when we make decisions like this, it’s impossible to move forward.”

Ferrari’s Botched Strategy Exposed

The frustration from Hamilton and Leclerc stems from a series of errors in Ferrari’s race strategy, which ultimately cost them valuable points. Initially, Ferrari had been in a decent position with Leclerc running in the top five, but the pit stop blunder put them on the back foot. On the other hand, teams like Mercedes and Red Bull capitalized on timely tire changes and pit stops, allowing them to maintain their positions and gain ground as the race progressed.

Ferrari’s decision to delay Leclerc’s pit stop by several laps was particularly questionable. The team appeared to gamble on a virtual safety car or a full safety car period, but the opportunity never came, and by the time they brought Leclerc in, he had lost significant time on the track. To make matters worse, Carlos Sainz, who had also been racing for points, found himself stuck behind slower cars due to a poorly timed pit strategy.

For a team of Ferrari’s stature, these mistakes are simply not acceptable. The Scuderia, who have a storied history in Formula 1, were expected to perform at a much higher level this season, especially after they made several key upgrades to their car. But after the race, it was clear that team principal Fred Vasseur and his staff would have some serious explaining to do.

Fans and Analysts React to Ferrari’s Poor Performance

The outcry from both Hamilton and Leclerc was echoed by fans and analysts around the world, with many questioning how such a well-funded and historically successful team could make such basic errors.

F1 pundit Martin Brundle expressed his disbelief over the team’s mismanagement of the race: “Ferrari has the talent, the car, and the drivers to compete at the highest level. Yet here we are, watching them throw it all away with poor strategy calls. It’s really disappointing to see.”

Social media exploded with backlash, with fans calling for major changes to Ferrari’s leadership and strategy team. One user tweeted, “Ferrari keeps wasting Leclerc’s talent. He’s one of the best on the grid, but they can’t get the strategy right.”

Ferrari’s Response

In the wake of the race, Ferrari issued a statement acknowledging their mistakes and vowing to learn from them. “We understand the frustration of our drivers and our fans,” the statement read. “We made several errors during the race and we take full responsibility for them. We will analyze the situation thoroughly and make the necessary adjustments to ensure this doesn’t happen again.”

However, the apology did little to appease the anger felt by both Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton, as well as countless fans who have grown tired of seeing Ferrari squander opportunities. The team has already promised to conduct a full review of their race operations, but whether they can bounce back in time for the next race remains to be seen.

What’s Next for Ferrari?

As the Formula 1 circus moves on to the next race, Ferrari faces mounting pressure to turn their season around. The Australian GP was a massive blow to their championship hopes, and they can’t afford more mistakes if they want to remain competitive with teams like Mercedes and Red Bull.

For Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz, the frustration is palpable, and it’s clear they are both eager for a chance to redeem themselves. As for Lewis Hamilton, who is now enjoying a more competitive season with Mercedes, the rivalry with Ferrari is heating up, and it seems the Scuderia may have more battles ahead than they anticipated.