F1 presenter Martin Brundle has criticized Lewis Hamilton for his conduct towards race engineer Riccardo Adami during the Australian Grand Prix. Throughout the race, Hamilton repeatedly asked his engineer not to provide excessive information, a move that Brundle found questionable.
Hamilton’s debut with Ferrari at Albert Park proved disappointing, as he spent much of the race trailing Alex Albon’s Williams. A late pit stop decision further pushed him to the back of the grid, resulting in a P10 finish.
While it’s acknowledged that the seven-time world champion is still adjusting to his new car, Brundle was unimpressed with his performance. He highlighted Hamilton’s struggles, including losing positions at the start and being overtaken by Oscar Piastri on the final lap.
“Eighth on the grid behind his teammate Leclerc, losing out a little in the first corner and following Alex Albon’s Williams for what seemed like an age, and then being passed around the outside of the fast Turn 9 by a spectacularly recovering Piastri on the final lap – consigning Lewis to one point in 10th place – was not where he should be,” Brundle wrote in his Sky Sports column.
Brundle also took issue with Hamilton’s terse interactions with Adami, who was providing updates on aspects like the K1 system. Hamilton repeatedly asked his engineer to “leave [him] to it,” which Brundle found unnecessary.
“I don’t understand why Lewis was so angsty with his engineer Riccardo Adami, who I felt was simply trying to pass over relevant and helpful information,” Brundle added.
Hamilton’s qualifying performance was also underwhelming, as he was out-paced by teammate Charles Leclerc.
Ferrari aims to improve radio communication with Lewis Hamilton
Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur emphasized the need to enhance radio communication with Hamilton following the race. He acknowledged the challenges posed by the mixed weather conditions at Albert Park, which disrupted the team’s strategy.
Ferrari’s decision to delay pitting their drivers on a drying track backfired when rain returned, costing them valuable positions. Vasseur admitted that the team needs to refine its communication with Hamilton to make better strategic decisions in the future.
“It was the first race, the first time that we have to communicate between the pit wall and the car, and we can do a better job and know each other more,” Vasseur said. “For sure it was not a clean one at all, the strategy was difficult and we need to find a better way to communicate between the car and the pit wall, but we will learn from Race 1 and it is not an issue.”
Hamilton finished P10, while Leclerc secured P8. Overall, it was a tough day for Ferrari, as they scored only five points and currently sit seventh in the World Championship standings.
Edited by Shirsh
