Lewis Hamilton Slapped with Sack Threat After Spanish Grand Prix Drama: Internal Tensions Explode at Mercedes

In a stunning twist following the Spanish Grand Prix, seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton is at the center of a raging storm within Mercedes, after reports emerged that he was privately threatened with the sack in the aftermath of a controversial incident during Sunday’s race at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.

According to high-level sources within the Mercedes camp, team principal Toto Wolff delivered a fiery debrief behind closed doors after Hamilton disobeyed key team orders during a tense mid-race moment that saw both Mercedes cars nearly collide. The incident — which nearly ended both Hamilton’s and George Russell’s races — has reportedly fractured the fragile harmony within the Silver Arrows garage and triggered internal discussions about Hamilton’s future, despite his confirmed move to Ferrari in 2025.

The Flashpoint: A Battle Gone Too Far?

The drama unfolded on Lap 36 when Hamilton, running in fourth place, came up behind teammate George Russell, who was on a different tyre strategy. With Russell’s pace fading, Mercedes issued a team order instructing the younger Brit to let Hamilton pass without a fight to pursue the podium places. But Russell hesitated — and Hamilton, unwilling to lose precious seconds, made a bold lunge into Turn 1, causing both cars to run wide and sending shockwaves through the paddock.

Though both drivers managed to recover — Hamilton finishing fourth, Russell fifth — the near-disaster reignited simmering tensions that have plagued the team since Hamilton’s blockbuster announcement in February that he would leave Mercedes at the end of the 2024 season to join Ferrari.

Wolff’s Fury: “That Was a Step Too Far”

Toto Wolff, usually calm and composed in public, reportedly unleashed a furious tirade in the post-race debrief, lambasting both drivers but reserving his sharpest criticism for Hamilton.

“There are team rules for a reason,” Wolff was heard saying, according to a source present at the meeting. “What happened out there could’ve taken both cars out. That was a step too far, Lewis.”

While Hamilton attempted to defend his actions by citing Russell’s delay in letting him through and the urgent need to close in on Charles Leclerc’s Ferrari, Wolff reportedly warned him in no uncertain terms: “Pull another stunt like that, and we’ll bench you — I don’t care if you’re leaving. We will not tolerate selfish racing that endangers the team.”

One senior engineer, speaking anonymously, added, “Toto was livid. For a few minutes, it honestly looked like Hamilton could be suspended or even dropped for Canada. That’s how bad it got.”

Mercedes in Meltdown: Fractures Widen as Pressure Mounts

The Spanish GP incident is just the latest in a string of flashpoints that have rocked Mercedes this season. Ever since Hamilton’s announcement, the relationship between the veteran champion and his team has grown increasingly strained.

Insiders have described a “cold war” atmosphere in the garage, with some senior Mercedes staff privately siding with Russell, while others still remain loyal to Hamilton. Morale has reportedly dipped, and the team’s leadership is scrambling to prevent a full-scale implosion.

Team insiders also claim that Hamilton’s increasingly vocal criticism of Mercedes’ strategy decisions — including his angry radio outburst during the Spanish GP about being left on old tyres for too long — has worn thin with senior management.

“He’s driving like a man with nothing to lose,” said a source close to the team. “And that’s exactly what scares them.”

Hamilton Responds: “I Race to Win — That’s Who I Am”

Speaking to Sky Sports F1 after the race, Hamilton offered a calm but pointed response when asked about the intra-team drama.

“I’ve always raced hard and fair,” he said. “I had the pace, and the team knew that. If we want to beat Red Bull and Ferrari, we can’t afford to waste time fighting each other. I’m here to help Mercedes get back on the top step — until the very last lap of my last race.”

Asked directly whether he feared internal repercussions, Hamilton gave a steely smile: “I’ve faced worse.”

A Crossroads Ahead: Could Mercedes Really Drop Hamilton?

While the idea of Mercedes benching Lewis Hamilton before his departure may seem unthinkable, the situation appears to be more volatile than ever. With the Canadian Grand Prix just two weeks away, tensions must be cooled fast or risk boiling over on the global stage.

One possible scenario being discussed behind closed doors is rotating reserve driver Frederik Vesti into a Friday practice session in Montreal, both as a message to Hamilton and a chance to prepare for life post-Lewis.

Still, many in the paddock believe Mercedes would be foolish to sideline one of the greatest drivers of all time.

“They can’t afford to let ego destroy their championship hopes,” said former F1 world champion Jenson Button. “If Mercedes wants to win again, they need Hamilton and Russell working together  not tearing each other apart.”

Final Lap: Glory or Implosion?

As the 2025 season heats up, all eyes will be on Hamilton and Mercedes. Will the Silver Arrows hold together long enough to challenge Red Bull and Ferrari, or will the internal civil war rip the team apart before Hamilton even gets to wear the red overalls of Maranello?

One thing is certain: Lewis Hamilton isn’t going quietly. And neither is the drama