At the 2025 Canadian Grand Prix held at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, Lewis Hamilton faced intense backlash from Ferrari fans after a contentious incident that altered the race outcome. Hamilton’s involvement in a critical error and subsequent events led to him being booed by the predominantly Ferrari crowd, igniting widespread debate across the Formula 1 community.
The British driver, seven-time world champion and now a Ferrari driver, was competing against Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and the legendary Sebastian Vettel’s legacy tied to this track. The focus keyword
“Lewis Hamilton booed by Ferrari fans Canadian Grand Prix”
accurately captures the tension surrounding the event that unfolded on race day.
Historical Rivalry and Hamilton’s Past Performance in Montreal
Lewis Hamilton has a notable history at the Canadian Grand Prix, having secured his first Formula 1 victory here in 2007 when he was just 22 years old. Over the years, the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve has been a memorable battleground, with Hamilton matching Michael Schumacher’s record for the most wins at this venue in 2019. However, despite his successes, victory has eluded him since that year, and his stint with Ferrari has yet to yield a win in Montreal.
Ironically, the last of his seven Canadian GP wins came at the expense of Ferrari, heightening the rivalry tension. This dynamic added pressure on both Hamilton and Ferrari as they approached the 2025 race, with Ferrari eager to break their winless streak early in the season.
Race Incident That Sparked Fan Outrage
During the race, Ferrari’s four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel initially led after starting from pole position, with Hamilton closely trailing. On lap 48, a high-stakes moment occurred when Vettel lost control exiting Turn 3, sliding off onto the grass. As he re-entered the track, Vettel inadvertently cut in front of Hamilton, forcing the Mercedes-turned-Ferrari driver to brake hard to avoid contact.
This incident preserved Vettel’s lead on the track momentarily, but the stewards reviewed the event and issued Vettel a five-second penalty. This penalty demoted Vettel’s position, allowing Hamilton to move ahead and eventually win the race by staying within that time margin.
Vettel was visibly furious, venting over the team radio about the penalty, claiming,
“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.”
—Sebastian Vettel, Former F1 Driver
After narrowly avoiding a collision himself, Vettel also stated:
We are lucky I did not hit the wall. Where was I allowed to go? This is the wrong world.
—Sebastian Vettel, Former F1 Driver
Hamilton’s Reaction and Ferrari Fans’ Response
Upon finishing the race, Hamilton expressed his feelings about the outcome, acknowledging the unideal circumstances of his victory. He explained,
I was pushing to the end to try and get past. I forced him into an error; he went wide, I had the run on that corner, and we nearly collided. It’s unfortunate, but this is motor racing.
—Lewis Hamilton, F1 Driver
Despite his candor, the reaction from Ferrari supporters was overwhelmingly hostile. The Canadian crowd jeered Hamilton loudly during the podium ceremony, voicing their frustration with the incident and penalty decision.
When questioned about the boos, Hamilton responded,
All I can say is that I didn’t make the decision, I don’t know what they are booing at.
—Lewis Hamilton, F1 Driver
Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel also stepped in to defend Hamilton, urging the fans to reconsider their hostility:
“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.”
—Sebastian Vettel, Former F1 Driver
Broader Implications for Ferrari and Hamilton
The controversial decision and resulting fan reaction highlight the intense pressure surrounding Ferrari’s ongoing quest for success this season. The Scuderia arrived in Montreal desperate to end a win drought, amplifying the stakes for both the team and Hamilton, who is still seeking his maiden victory with Ferrari despite multiple attempts.
Vettel further addressed the fan sentiment, emphasizing the questionable nature of race penalties rather than blaming Hamilton directly:
I had trouble to stay on track. The people shouldn’t boo at Lewis, if anything they should boo at these funny decisions.
—Sebastian Vettel, Former F1 Driver
With Hamilton now entering his tenth Canadian Grand Prix weekend with Ferrari and reflecting on his illustrious but challenging career here, the events in Montreal serve as a somber reminder of the passionate and often turbulent nature of Formula 1 racing. The fans’ divided loyalties and the controversy over steward decisions suggest that tensions will remain high as the season progresses.
Looking ahead, Ferrari’s performance at upcoming Grand Prix events will be crucial in mending relationships with their supporters and in Hamilton’s pursuit of adding new victories to his record with the team.
