Lewis Hamilton was met with boos from Ferrari supporters at the 2025 Canadian Grand Prix after a pivotal mistake during the race ignited widespread anger. This moment overshadowed his continued quest for victory at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, where despite historic success, he has struggled to secure a win for Ferrari.
Hamilton, a seven-time world champion, has a deep history with the Canadian Grand Prix. He first triumphed there early in his career at just 22 years old, and in 2019 matched Michael Schumacher’s record for the most wins on this track. Yet, since joining Ferrari and over 6,500 days after his initial victory, the British driver has yet to claim a win at Montreal for the Scuderia.
Race Drama Unfolds Between Hamilton and Vettel
The 2025 event saw Ferrari aiming to end their winless streak, with four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel starting from pole position ahead of Hamilton. Vettel maintained the lead until a controversial incident on lap 48 intensified the tension. While pushing to overtake Vettel, Hamilton experienced a loss of rear grip at Turn 3, causing him to slide onto the grass.
As Vettel re-entered the racing line, Hamilton had to brake sharply to avoid contact. Although Vettel held the lead initially, race officials penalized him five seconds for forcing Hamilton off track. This penalty effectively handed Hamilton the advantage, requiring only that he finish within five seconds of Vettel’s time to take victory.
Vettel’s frustration was evident when he radioed,
“I had nowhere to go. They are stealing the race from us. Seriously, you need to be a blind man to think you can go through the grass and control your car.”
Despite Vettel’s anger and refusal to park in parc fermé, Hamilton secured the win.
Ferrari Fans Voice Their Disapproval During Podium Ceremony
The reaction from Canadian spectators was overwhelmingly unfavourable toward Hamilton, with many Ferrari fans booing him during the winner’s ceremony. Addressing the negative reception, Hamilton expressed confusion:
“All I can say is that I didn’t make the decision, I don’t know what they are booing at.”
In a gesture of sportsmanship, Vettel spoke up to defend his rival, saying,
“The people shouldn’t boo at Lewis. I think he saw what was going on, I don’t think there was any intention to be in his harm’s way.”
He added,
“I had trouble to stay on track. The people shouldn’t boo at Lewis, if anything they should boo at these funny decisions.”
Impact on Hamilton’s Struggles with Ferrari and Future Outlook
The booing highlighted the growing frustration of Ferrari’s supporters as Hamilton continues to seek a breakthrough win for the team. Despite his illustrious career and early success in Montreal, the British driver’s ongoing challenges underline the high pressure within the Scuderia and the fervor of the Tifosi.
With multiple Canadian Grand Prix weekends behind him and an elusive victory still pending, Hamilton faces mounting expectations. The 2025 season remains critical as he attempts to unify Ferrari’s campaign and address the tension that has escalated among fans and rivals alike.