Lewis Hamilton skilled one other irritating day on the Miami Grand Prix, dealing with difficulties all through the weekend regardless of exhibiting promise throughout the Dash Race.
Beginning in seventh for the Dash Race, Hamilton managed to safe his second podium end on this format in 2025. He made a daring strategic transfer by switching from intermediate to slick tyres sooner than lots of his rivals, a choice that allowed him to climb the standings. Nonetheless, the selection was additionally considerably compelled, as Hamilton was fighting the intermediates and was beneath important strain from Williams driver Alex Albon.
Sunday’s Grand Prix qualifying passed off in dry situations, however Hamilton’s session ended early. The seven-time world champion was eradicated in Q2, narrowly lacking out on a spot within the high 10 shootout. In the meantime, his Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc managed to make it by means of, even after a crash earlier than the beginning of the Dash Race.
Regardless of Max Verstappen expressing admiration for Lewis Hamilton’s efficiency forward of the weekend, the 40-year-old didn’t share comparable sentiments in the direction of Ferrari’s efforts throughout qualifying. A key technique name backfired and contributed to his early exit.
Hamilton expressed frustration with Ferrari’s choice to not use a brand new set of sentimental tyres throughout qualifying. Throughout a post-race interview with Sky Sports activities F1 (Could 3, 2025), he was requested if he had saved a recent set of sentimental tyres for Q3 and if he had requested to make use of them in Q2. Hamilton replied, stating that it “didn’t make sense” to not use two new units, particularly when struggling for tempo. He advised that this was one thing Ferrari would wish to assessment and deal with within the debrief.
World champion Jenson Button, reflecting on Hamilton’s feedback, identified that Ferrari doubtless didn’t anticipate Lewis Hamilton being eradicated at that stage. He famous that Ferrari usually expects to succeed in Q3, and whereas Leclerc did a exceptional job to make the highest 10, he nonetheless discovered himself behind two Williams drivers. The previous System 1 driver highlighted that the weekend hadn’t been straightforward for Ferrari, including that the stability of efficiency in F1 typically fluctuates from race to race.
Danica Patrick additional emphasised that the Miami observe is notoriously troublesome for overtaking. She famous that, until a driver has important straight-line velocity, their qualifying place is essential. Given Lewis Hamilton’s struggles, she expressed that Ferrari ought to have taken each alternative to enhance his efficiency, significantly when he was already dealing with challenges.
Hamilton’s third-place end within the Dash Race was a spotlight of the weekend, however his present place within the driver standings stays precarious. He now sits in seventh place within the championship. Except Ferrari can rapidly resolve their ongoing design points, it seems unlikely that Hamilton will be capable to compete for an eighth title in 2025.
Regardless of the setbacks, Lewis Hamilton made up invaluable factors on Andrea Kimi Antonelli, who set the document for the youngest pole sitter in F1 historical past throughout Dash qualifying. Although Antonelli’s document could also be considerably much less important given the Dash format, it was nonetheless a formidable feat for the 18-year-old, who will begin forward of George Russell in Sunday’s race.
The Briton’s third-place end within the Dash Race additionally marked a historic achievement. With this outcome, Hamilton has now been categorised within the high 4 positions at each one of many 38 circuits he has raced at in System 1. Subsequent season, with the addition of the Madrid Grand Prix to the calendar, he could have a thirty ninth observe so as to add to his listing.
Nonetheless, with new laws anticipated for the next season, there stays important uncertainty surrounding Ferrari’s competitiveness. Regardless of their efforts to enhance this 12 months, the Maranello staff’s ongoing struggles counsel that they might face additional challenges within the close to future.
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