Lewis Hamilton’s debut race with Ferrari at the Australian Grand Prix was marred by frustration, culminating in a disappointing 10th-place finish, earning him just one point in the championship. His teammate, Charles Leclerc, fared slightly better, finishing eighth and securing four points, but he also had a memorable and amusing radio exchange during the chaotic race.
On lap 14, Ferrari engineer Riccardo Adami incessantly instructed Hamilton about the drag reduction system (DRS), prompting Hamilton to snap, “Leave me to it, please.” Despite his pleas, Adami continued to issue instructions, further irking the seasoned driver. Hamilton responded curtly, emphasising he wasn’t close enough to utilise the system effectively.
As the race progressed, intermittent rain added to the drama. During a safety car period, Ferrari’s decision to keep Hamilton on hard tyres allowed him to temporarily take the lead before rain thwarted his chances. Expressing his disappointment, Hamilton vented his frustrations over the radio, exclaiming, “We just lost a big opportunity there.” His frustration culminated in a foul-mouthed outburst, for which he quickly apologised upon realising his radio was still live.
After the challenging race—which ultimately saw McLaren’s Lando Norris take the win—Hamilton reflected on the difficulties he faced, stating it was “really, really hard” and acknowledging the struggle of adapting to the new car’s handling in wet conditions. He was grateful to finish without crashing, noting, “that’s really where it wanted to go most of the time.”
In a lighter moment, Leclerc also experienced a humorous exchange regarding water leaking into his seat, prompting a witty retort from his engineer, which quickly gained popularity among fans.
The race saw six drivers unable to finish, amid the rain-induced chaos, while Australia’s own Oscar Piastri navigated a topsy-turvy race, ultimately finishing ninth. The season continues with the upcoming Shanghai Grand Prix on March 23.