Vasseur Plays Down Hamilton-Race Engineer Tension After Quiet Monaco GP

Communication hiccups at Ferrari raise eyebrows despite strong weekend

It was Ferrari’s most fruitful weekend of the 2025 Formula 1 season so far—Charles Leclerc finally broke his Monaco curse with a popular home win, and Lewis Hamilton brought home solid points with a fifth-place finish. But amid the celebrations in red, murmurs of discontent began to swirl, centred not on Leclerc’s triumph, but on the silence between Hamilton and his race engineer Riccardo Adami.

Fans and pundits alike picked up on a series of awkward radio exchanges between the seven-time world champion and his Ferrari race engineer during the Monaco Grand Prix. Most notably, Hamilton was heard asking, “Are you angry with me?”—a pointed question that received no immediate reply. Coupled with delayed or unclear responses earlier in the race, the radio chatter—or lack thereof—quickly became the subject of speculation. Was there tension between Hamilton and his new team?

Vasseur Insists There’s No Fire Behind the Smoke

Lewis Hamilton Ferrari

Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur was quick to pour cold water on the rumours, brushing off suggestions that Hamilton and Adami are not on the same page. Speaking after the race, Vasseur explained the silence as a matter of timing, not emotion.

“When the driver asks something between corners, we usually give the answer after the tunnel,” Vasseur said, referring to one of the trickiest sections of the Monte Carlo circuit. “This is an agreement not to bother him in the corners. There is no tension. I spoke to Lewis after the race, he was not angry.”

Vasseur’s comments are a textbook example of the team boss’s calm, measured approach. But while the Frenchman is doing his best to keep things cool in the media, some observers aren’t so sure all is well behind closed doors.

Reading Between the (Radio) Lines

Hamilton, of course, is no stranger to high-pressure team dynamics. In his Mercedes years, his radio messages with engineer Pete Bonnington became iconic—full of urgency, honesty, and more than a few memes. But Ferrari is a different beast altogether, and adjusting to a new engineering team mid-career is no easy feat, especially in the crucible of Monaco.

The apparent breakdown in communication in Sunday’s race highlighted more than just a style difference. At times, Hamilton seemed frustrated at the lack of strategic clarity. His messages were terse, his tone more questioning than commanding. And crucially, he spent much of the race in clean air—driving solo, without any real opportunity to challenge those ahead or defend from behind. For a driver of Hamilton’s calibre, it must have felt like a wasted afternoon.

While fifth place is by no means a disaster, it was the type of performance that can test a driver’s patience. Ferrari nailed Leclerc’s strategy to perfection, but Hamilton’s race felt more reactive than proactive. In Monaco, where track position is king, such differences in approach can be magnified tenfold.

Ferrari’s Growing Pains

It’s important to remember that Hamilton is still in the early days of his Ferrari journey. The decision to leave Mercedes was a seismic one, both for the driver and the sport. So far, the move has delivered mixed results. Ferrari has shown glimpses of championship-winning pace—particularly in qualifying—but consistency, both in performance and internal communication, remains elusive.

The Scuderia’s mid-season updates, expected to arrive in Barcelona, are being billed as a potential turning point. But even the fastest car won’t help if the pit wall and the cockpit aren’t working in harmony. The apparent disconnect between Hamilton and Adami in Monaco was a reminder that these relationships take time to build. Trust doesn’t come overnight.

A Star Adrift?

There’s also an emotional component to Hamilton’s current situation. He’s spent over a decade building something unique with Mercedes. The switch to Ferrari was always going to be jarring, especially for a driver so meticulous about preparation and feedback. Every radio call, every debrief, every strategic decision is now happening in a different language—literally and metaphorically.

And let’s not forget, Monaco is a circuit that tests not just skill but concentration. If dfelt isolated during the race, it’s easy to understand why that might have affected his confidence or rhythm. The “Are you angry with me?” moment struck a chord precisely because it felt so human—stripped of PR gloss and bravado, it was a rare glimpse into a driver’s vulnerability.

Leclerc’s Day, Hamilton’s Frustration

While the headlines belonged to Charles Leclerc—and deservedly so—it’s impossible to ignore the contrast between the two Ferrari drivers’ experiences on Sunday. Leclerc was in perfect sync with his team, executing a lights-to-flag victory in front of his adoring home crowd. Hamilton, meanwhile, seemed adrift—not just in strategy, but in spirit.

Yet despite the post-race awkwardness, it’s worth noting that Hamilton remained professional. There were no public outbursts, no barbed comments. He turned up, did the job, and banked crucial points. In doing so, he helped Ferrari record their highest-scoring weekend of the season.

Still, the broader takeaway is clear: Ferrari has work to do, not just on the car, but in getting the most out of its newest superstar. Hamilton’s experience and input could be vital in transforming the team into genuine title contenders—but only if he feels heard and supported.

What Comes Next?

Barcelona will offer another litmus test. A more conventional circuit, better opportunities to overtake, and those all-important updates on the SF-25 will give Ferrari a clearer picture of where they stand. But eyes will also be on the garage. Are the Hamilton-Adami dynamics improving? Will strategy calls be tighter, communication smoother?

For now, Vasseur may be right to dismiss the Monaco chatter as noise. But as any seasoned F1 follower knows, when a driver starts questioning their engineer on the radio, it’s rarely a one-off. The story may have started in Monte Carlo—but whether it becomes a subplot or a saga will depend on what happens next.