FIA Hands Out Major Penalty to Lewis Hamilton for Heated Ferrari Radio Exchange at 2025 Miami Grand Prix
The 2025 Miami Grand Prix took an unexpected turn when the FIA imposed a significant penalty on Lewis Hamilton following a fiery radio exchange with his Ferrari team during the race on May 4. The seven-time world champion, who finished eighth, found himself at odds with race engineer Riccardo Adami over a sluggish strategy decision, leading to a tense on-air confrontation that has now cost him dearly. The FIA’s ruling, announced earlier today at 04:21 PM +07 on May 5, 2025, marks a rare disciplinary action against Hamilton, spotlighting the challenges he faces in his debut season with Ferrari.
The controversy erupted late in the race when Hamilton, trailing teammate Charles Leclerc, grew frustrated with Ferrari’s delay in ordering a position swap. Stuck in Leclerc’s dirty air and burning through his tires, Hamilton vented his irritation, famously quipping, “Have a tea break while you’re at it—come on!” after being told to hold position.
The exchange escalated as Hamilton referenced his earlier compliance in China, saying, “In China I got out of the way when you were on a different strategy!” The eventual swap came too late to yield gains, and a subsequent reversal—communicated to Leclerc before Hamilton—only fueled his frustration, prompting sarcastic remarks about letting Carlos Sainz past as well.
The FIA’s decision to penalize Hamilton stems from a breach of Article 12.2.1.f of the International Sporting Code, which prohibits “abusive, offensive, or inappropriate language” over team radio that could harm the sport’s reputation. While Hamilton’s comments were not overtly profane, the stewards deemed his sarcastic tone and public airing of team tensions as detrimental, especially given the global audience. The penalty includes a 10-second time addition to his race result—though it doesn’t alter his eighth-place finish—and a formal reprimand, marking his first FIA sanction of the season. Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur defended the delay as a strategic necessity, citing the need to balance tire wear and track position, but acknowledged Hamilton’s frustration was understandable under pressure.
Hamilton, addressing the media post-race, downplayed the outburst, calling it a “heat-of-the-moment” reaction and noting similar exchanges with Mercedes in the past. “It’s frustrating when you’re losing time, and you just want a quick decision,” he said, adding that he and the team would address it privately. Yet, the penalty has reignited debates about Ferrari’s cohesion in 2025, with Hamilton’s struggles—his best grand prix finish remains fifth—contrasting sharply with McLaren’s dominance, led by Oscar Piastri’s victory. Fans on social media have mixed reactions, with some praising Hamilton’s candor and others questioning Ferrari’s ability to harness his competitive edge.
This incident underscores the high stakes of Hamilton’s Ferrari tenure, where every point counts in his pursuit of an eighth title. As the season progresses to Imola, all eyes will be on whether this penalty signals deeper team discord or a one-off clash. For now, Hamilton’s radio rant has added a dramatic layer to an already thrilling Miami weekend, leaving fans eager to see if he can turn the page—or if the FIA’s ruling will cast a longer shadow over his campaign.
