Leclerc's True Feelings on Hamilton Revealed in Unheard Ferrari Radio Message
A previously unheard team radio message has emerged.
Featured Image Credit: F1
Topics: Formula 1, Charles Leclerc, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Tom Jenkins
Topics: Formula 1, Charles Leclerc, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
A previously unheard team radio shows Charles Leclerc unimpressed with 'unfair' Lewis Hamilton after the Brit snubbed team orders at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
It was a disastrous race in Baku for the Scuderia, as they finished 8th and 9th and saw themselves overtaken by Mercedes in the constructor standings.
Leclerc had been on pole position in the last five qualifying sessions in Baku, however, failed to continue his streak and started in 10th after crashing out in Q3.
The 27-year-old made a strong start to the race after overtaking Lando Norris and Isak Hadjar in the opening laps, however, a misjudged strategy from Ferrari took him out of contention.
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With Hamilton Ferrari's last hope at a positive result, Leclerc allowed the Brit to pass and attack the cars ahead.
However, after Hamilton failed to make an overtake he was instructed to hand the position back to Leclerc, which he failed to do before the chequered flag.
Following the race Leclerc seemed completely unbothered by Hamilton, however, new team radio appears to show the Monegasque driver was hiding his true feelings.
“I don't really care, it's for an eighth place, so it's okay, he can enjoy that P8," Leclerc told his engineer.
"It's just stupid because it's not fair, but again, I don't mind, honestly. P8 or P9 means the difficult weekend," he added.
Leclerc has scored all five of Ferrari's podiums in the 2025 season, and has already clinched a qualifying head-to-head victory over the seven-time champion.
Hamilton's 8th-place finish at Baku is just the third time he has finished ahead of Leclerc in a Grand Prix this season.
Hamilton himself addressed the situation following the race and explained he would apologise to Leclerc for the error.
"Basically I did lift on the straight, and did actually brake, but he (Leclerc) missed it by like four tenths," he explained via Reuters.
He added: "That was just a misjudgement by myself. I'll apologise to Charles."