Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc were both left frustrated by Ferrari's strategy at the Dutch Grand Prix, and according to former F1 presenter Will Buxton, this is the "first real test" of their relationship. The critical moment came when Hamilton, on a different tyre strategy and the quicker driver, wanted to overtake Leclerc immediately, but Ferrari hesitated to use team orders. As a result, Leclerc was only pitted two laps later, costing Hamilton valuable time stuck behind his teammate.
"Great way of wasting time, good job," Hamilton sarcastically told Ferrari over team radio, aware of how difficult overtaking was at Zandvoort. He drew a direct comparison with Mercedes, which at the same race had no qualms about asking its drivers to swap positions for the team's benefit. That decisiveness is what Hamilton feels is still missing at his new team.
Buxton, speaking on the Up to Speed podcast, accused Ferrari of being "so scared of losing, they can't win." He questioned whether this is the beginning of a Charles-Lewis problem, or rather a test of how the team manages two star drivers. "Charles is the golden child, always has been. He's Ferrari through and through, probably never going to race anywhere else. Then you've got Lewis, the GOAT, seven-time world champion. You can't please both," he said.
According to Buxton, Hamilton's experience with Mercedes, which executes decisions instantly, makes him want that championship-winning mentality at Ferrari. "Lewis has experience of a team that executes immediately at Mercedes and he wants that championship-winning mentality at Ferrari, because unless you have that you are never going to win a title," Buxton explained. Hamilton's frustration is understandable, as he knows what a top team should do.
The big question now: is this a Ferrari problem, a Hamilton-Leclerc problem, or both? Buxton stressed that indecision on the pit wall is itself a decision. "Mercedes think solely about what's best for the team, while Ferrari are dithering because they try not to upset their drivers. It's a little bit McLaren, isn't it? Can't upset the drivers, 'oh what do we do?' Got to keep both of them happy because two number ones. Indecision is still a decision," he asserted.
Hamilton, currently third in the championship and 59 points behind the leader, admitted his radio outburst was not "the best version" of himself. However, he insisted his criticism of the team is part of his commitment to pushing Ferrari forward. Will this be a turning point for the Scuderia to become more decisive? The upcoming races will be the real test.
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