Reported
Buxton suggests Ferrari faces first Leclerc-Hamilton dynamic test
Will Buxton indicates the Dutch Grand Prix revealed the initial test of the relationship between Ferrari drivers Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton.
Will Buxton, former Formula 1 presenter, has suggested Ferrari is facing its “first real test” regarding the dynamic between its drivers Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton. This follows incidents during the recent Dutch Grand Prix, as reported by Motorsport Week and Crash.net. Hamilton and Leclerc both expressed frustration with the team's strategy. Hamilton finished fourth in the race, with Leclerc in fifth. Lando Norris of McLaren won the race, 11.536 seconds ahead of Andrea Kimi Antonelli of Mercedes.
Dutch Grand Prix Strategy Issues
At the Dutch Grand Prix, Hamilton found himself behind Leclerc. Hamilton was on a different tyre strategy and was considered the quicker driver at that moment. He questioned Ferrari over team radio why Leclerc was not asked to move aside. Ferrari did not issue team orders at this point, opting to pit Leclerc two laps later instead. Hamilton reportedly told the team, “Great way of wasting time, good job!” This comment was made sarcastically, as reported by Motorsport Week. Hamilton eventually finished just behind George Russell in third, while Leclerc was a few seconds further back.
Driver Frustration and Comparison
Hamilton publicly stated after the race that he would seek an “offline” discussion with Ferrari. He aimed to understand the strategic decisions made. Hamilton cited his former team, Mercedes, as a benchmark for effective team management in similar situations. Crash.net noted Hamilton compared Ferrari’s actions to Mercedes' decisive approach in asking drivers to swap positions in past scenarios. Motorsport Week also reported Hamilton’s message of contrition on social media the day after the race, where he stated, “we’re coming,” addressing Ferrari’s rivals.
Buxton’s Assessment
Speaking on the "Up To Speed" podcast, Buxton framed the Dutch Grand Prix as a potential flashpoint for Ferrari. He questioned, “Is this Ferrari’s first real test, of the Charles-Lewis relationship?” He further elaborated that if not a direct test of their relationship, it was a test of how the team would manage the situation. Buxton suggested Leclerc is seen as the “golden child” at Ferrari, having been with the team since his youth. Hamilton, a seven-time World Champion, brings a different expectation. Buxton indicated that in such scenarios, one driver is likely to be dissatisfied. He accused Ferrari of being “so scared of losing, they can’t win,” according to Crash.net. He believes Hamilton desires a championship-winning mentality at Ferrari, characterised by immediate execution, similar to his experience at Mercedes. The Italian Grand Prix is the next round for Formula 1, with the first session scheduled for Friday, September 4, at 13:30 Finnish time.
Status And Sources
This story is labelled Reported, which means a newsroom we cite carries this but the people involved have not confirmed it. The rules behind those labels are in the editorial policy, and the desk that published it is Eero Lahtinen.
Written from the following reporting. Each link goes to the newsroom's own page, not to an aggregator:
- Motorsport Weekmotorsportweek.com
- Crash.netcrash.net
