A storm has erupted in the Formula 1 paddock following the leak of a heated radio exchange between Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton and team principal Fred Vasseur during the Spanish Grand Prix on May 31, 2025.

The audio, which surfaced online shortly after the race, has sparked widespread debate about tensions within Ferrari and Hamilton’s challenging debut season with the Scuderia.

During Friday’s practice sessions at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, Hamilton was vocal about his struggles with the Ferrari SF-25, describing it as “not driveable” and labeling his experience as “not fun.”

The seven-time world champion finished P11 in FP2, 0.773 seconds off McLaren’s pace-setting Oscar Piastri, while teammate Charles Leclerc managed P5. Hamilton’s frustration was evident as he told race engineer Riccardo Adami, “That was bad,” during FP1, despite briefly featuring in the top three.

The leaked audio, allegedly from a private post-race debrief, captures a tense exchange between Hamilton and Vasseur. In it, Hamilton reportedly questions the team’s setup choices, saying, “We’re going backwards, Fred. I need answers, not excuses.” Vasseur responds defensively, insisting the car’s performance was “not as horrible” as Hamilton claimed, citing a strong final stint on soft tires. He urges Hamilton to focus on constructive feedback rather than “extreme” radio comments, echoing sentiments he shared with Sky Sports F1: “The comments were a bit extreme today, but he did a strong last stint… It’s not a drama.”

The leak has fueled speculation about a strained relationship between Hamilton and Ferrari. Fans and pundits are divided, with some accusing Hamilton of overreacting under pressure, while others criticize Ferrari’s handling of their star driver. This isn’t the first time Hamilton’s radio messages have caused a stir. Earlier in the season at the Miami GP, he sarcastically suggested Adami “take a tea break,” prompting Vasseur to downplay tensions, saying, “I put my hand on his shoulder and said, ‘Dude, calm down. Don’t be so sensitive.’”

The timing of the leak is particularly damaging, as Ferrari battles for P2 in the Constructors’ Championship, trailing Red Bull by just one point. The new FIA Technical Directive on front wing flexing, introduced at the Spanish GP, was expected to level the playing field, but McLaren’s dominance suggests otherwise. Vasseur remains optimistic, noting the team gathered “good information” despite the SF-25’s balance issues.

The F1 community is now questioning who leaked the audio and why. Some speculate it’s an attempt to destabilize Ferrari, while others see it as a symptom of internal disarray. Vasseur has previously criticized F1’s selective broadcasting of radio messages, calling it “a joke” for creating false narratives. This latest scandal only amplifies those concerns.

As Ferrari prepares for upcoming races, all eyes are on whether Hamilton and Vasseur can mend their communication breakdown. With the sport’s spotlight firmly on Maranello, the Scuderia must navigate this crisis to keep their championship hopes alive.