Damon Hill explains why Lewis Hamilton’s conduct at the Miami GP weekend sets him apart. Lewis Hamilton impressed with a gutsy Sprint podium at the Miami Grand Prix.

Lewis Hamilton Shows True Grit in Miami as Ferrari Struggles Continue

Lewis Hamilton experienced yet another rollercoaster weekend as a Ferrari driver during the Miami Grand Prix, navigating both the strategic highs and ongoing frustrations that have marked his debut season with the Scuderia.

The seven-time world champion was set to line up directly behind teammate Charles Leclerc for the Sprint Race, but Ferrari’s hopes of a double points finish were immediately dashed. As Leclerc headed to the grid on intermediate tyres, his SF-25 aquaplaned on the rain-slicked surface and crashed into the barriers, ending his Sprint involvement before it began.

That left Hamilton as the team’s sole contender for Saturday points—and he delivered. Making a timely switch to slick tyres while others hesitated, Lewis Hamilton capitalised on a chaotic sequence of events: Max Verstappen and Andrea Kimi Antonelli collided exiting the pit lane, and George Russell unexpectedly lacked pace compared to his Mercedes teammate. These factors helped Hamilton secure his second Sprint podium of the 2025 season, highlighting his ongoing sharpness and race awareness.

However, Lewis Hamilton’s fortunes took a turn in Grand Prix qualifying. He will start Sunday’s race from 12th on the grid after being eliminated in Q2 by the narrowest of margins. While visibly frustrated with a critical tyre strategy call made by the Maranello team, the Briton still managed to impress observers—especially 1996 world champion Damon Hill.

The former Formula 1 driver, speaking on BBC Sport during the Miami qualifying session, commented on Lewis Hamilton’s decisive final lap in Q1. According to Damon Hill, Lewis Hamilton had placed immense pressure on himself after locking up in the same braking zone earlier in the session. Yet, when faced with the same high-risk corner, the 40-year-old braked confidently and got the lap right when it mattered most. Hill described the moment as quintessentially “the mark of a champion,” underscoring Hamilton’s ability to rebound under pressure.

Despite the standout lap in Q1, Hamilton couldn’t replicate the same performance in Q2. He ended the session just under a tenth of a second behind Leclerc—an agonisingly small margin that kept him from advancing to the final qualifying segment. Esteban Ocon’s Haas made it through, while Racing Bulls rookie Isack Hadjar was narrowly edged out, splitting the two Ferrari drivers and highlighting the increasingly competitive midfield.

Lewis Hamilton’s strong showing in the Sprint Race did allow him to reach an extraordinary milestone. With his third-place finish, he became the only Formula 1 driver in history to register top-four finishes at all 38 circuits he has raced at. But the veteran knows that Sprint results don’t carry the same weight as Sunday performances, and Ferrari’s inability to translate qualifying pace into Grand Prix consistency remains a serious issue.

The core of the problem appears to lie with Ferrari’s new floor upgrade. The team has reportedly been forced to raise the ride height of the SF-25 due to fuel load sensitivity, undermining their aerodynamic performance over a full race distance. It’s an issue that no amount of driver brilliance can mask.

Still, the Briton’s determination has not gone unnoticed. Earlier in the day, Max Verstappen publicly acknowledged Hamilton’s work ethic and professionalism, calling it one of the defining traits of a world champion. Their mutual respect—once strained by on-track rivalry—now reflects a shared appreciation for each other’s skill and commitment.

And while the seven-time Formula 1 world champion’s current machinery lacks the race-winning capability of the dominant McLaren or Red Bull, his grit and veteran poise continue to shine. It’s clear that he remains a driver capable of delivering extraordinary moments, even if his machinery isn’t yet up to the same standard.