Featured Image Credit: Getty
Topics: Formula 1, Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton, Charles Leclerc
Tom Jenkins
Formula 1 have issued a statement after Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur called out the official broadcast for how it portrayed a team radio conversation involving Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc.
It looked a more promising weekend for Ferrari in China, with Lewis Hamilton winning the sprint from pole position and Charles Leclerc in particular impressing in the race despite a significantly damaged front-wing.
However, the Scuderia's hard earned points were stripped away after both drivers were disqualified following the chequered flag with Leclerc's car coming in underweight and excessive skid wear on Hamilton's Ferrari.
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This leaves Ferrari fifth in the constructors level on points with fourth placed Williams, who gained significantly from the double DSQ of Leclerc and Hamilton.
During the race the two Ferrari's swapped positions due to Hamilton's lack of progress, allowing the quicker Leclerc a chance to attack after Hamilton suggested the idea over team radio.
Following the race, Vasseur called the F1 broadcaster a 'joke' for how they portrayed the incident during live coverage.
“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.”
Following Ferrari's complaints, it is understood that the FOM met in person with Vasseur to discuss the matter and now F1 have come out with an official statement regarding the matter.
“There was absolutely no intention of presenting a misleading narrative regarding the Ferrari team radio,” an F1 spokesperson said.
“Due to other situations developing during the race the message from Lewis was not played but this was not intentional.”