Featured Image Credit: Getty Images
Topics: Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton, Formula 1
Jack Kenmare
Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur has labelled Formula One’s broadcast of the Chinese Grand Prix "a joke" after seeing how they covered an incident involving Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc.
Hamilton endured a tough race at the Shanghai International Circuit, with the seven-time world champion finishing sixth behind Oscar Piastri, Lando Norris, George Russell, Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc.
In fact, after making contact with Leclerc on the opening lap, Hamilton volunteered to allow his Ferrari teammate through for fifth as he struggled to keep pace with the previously mentioned.
But much to the annoyance of team principal Fred Vasseur – who has since accused the broadcast of deliberately creating a show – Hamilton's radio message was not shown on the international feed.
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Speaking to reporters about the incident after Sunday's race was over, Ferrari boss Vasseur made his feelings clear.
“This is a joke from FOM (Formula One Management), because the first call came from Lewis to swap. Lewis suggested it," he said.
“But to make the show, to create the mess around the situation, they did not broadcast the first part of the exchange. So I will discuss it with them."
Vasseur added: “We have to work for the team and consider the best thing for Ferrari. The collaboration between the two guys (Hamilton and Leclerc) is mega and I cannot complain about it.”
Instead of Hamilton's initial radio message, the broadcast picked up on Hamilton's race engineer Riccardo Adami telling the Brit that "we are swapping cars at Turn 14".
Hamilton could be heard telling Adami that he was closing up on Mercedes driver George Russell and would allow Leclerc through when “he was closer”.
After being told to "swap this lap", Hamilton then replied: “I’ll tell you when we can swap" before moving over for his teammate moments later.
In the aftermath of the Chinese Grand Prix, it was confirmed that Charles Leclerc and Pierre Gasly were disqualified due to having an underweight car, while Hamilton was also disqualified due to excessive skid wear.
Explaining the decision, an official statement from the sport's governing body, the FIA, said: "The plank assembly of Car 44 (Lewis Hamilton) was measured and found to be 8.6mm (LHS), 8.6mm (car centerline) and 8.5mm (RHS).
"This is below the minimum thickness of 9mm specified under Article 3.5.9 of the Technical Regulations.
"During the hearing the team representative confirmed that the measurement is correct and that all required procedures were performed correctly. The team also acknowledged that there were no mitigating circumstances and that it was a genuine error by the team."