Fresh revelations have emerged from within the Ferrari camp suggesting that seven-time World Champion Lewis Hamilton and current Scuderia star Charles Leclerc have engaged in a heated disagreement over a key technical upgrade introduced ahead of the Belgian Grand Prix. A source close to the team, speaking on condition of anonymity, described the internal atmosphere at Ferrari as “strained, tense, and increasingly divided,” following another disappointing performance at Spa-Francorchamps.
According to the insider, the core of the dispute lies in differing perspectives on a new aerodynamic package implemented for this weekend’s race. While Ferrari’s engineering team had high hopes for the upgrade—focusing primarily on rear-end downforce and straight-line efficiency—its deployment reportedly sparked frustration between the two drivers, each believing the development favored a different driving style.
Lewis Hamilton, who is set to officially join Ferrari in 2025 but has already been contributing to car development discussions as part of his integration process, reportedly raised strong objections to the implementation timeline and technical configuration of the package. He is believed to have advised caution and requested further simulations and wind tunnel testing before applying the changes in race conditions.
Charles Leclerc, on the other hand, was reportedly eager to push forward with the upgrade, arguing that delays in Ferrari’s development strategy have consistently placed the team a step behind Red Bull and McLaren. Leclerc’s view—shared by some in the team—is that risks must be taken to close the performance gap, especially in a season that is rapidly slipping out of reach.
The disagreement between the two camps escalated in the lead-up to Saturday’s qualifying, with heated discussions taking place behind closed doors in the Ferrari motorhome. Team Principal Frédéric Vasseur attempted to mediate, but insiders say tensions remained unresolved going into Sunday’s race.
The results only added fuel to the fire. Ferrari failed to reach the podium once again, with Leclerc finishing a distant fifth and the team strategy once more coming under fire from fans and commentators alike. Hamilton, attending the race in an unofficial capacity, was seen leaving the Ferrari garage shortly after the checkered flag, refusing to speak to reporters.
The incident has sparked widespread debate in the paddock and among F1 analysts. Some believe Ferrari’s bold move to involve Hamilton this early—before the 2025 season—may be backfiring, creating confusion in team dynamics and decision-making hierarchies. Others see the clash as an inevitable growing pain of integrating a high-profile driver into an already fragile environment.
As tensions mount and performance stagnates, Ferrari now faces a critical test of unity. If the team cannot reconcile the visions of its current and future stars, its dreams of returning to championship contention may remain elusive for yet another year.
