Lewis Hamilton endured another frustrating Formula 1 weekend during the Miami Grand Prix, as a strategic misstep by Ferrari left him unable to capitalise on a tyre advantage over teammate Charles Leclerc. Despite being on the faster, softer compound, Hamilton was held up behind Leclerc for several laps while urging the team to let him through and chase down Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli. The delay in decision-making from the Ferrari pit wall ultimately proved costly, with the Briton unable to make significant gains once finally released.
By the time Hamilton was granted permission to pass, his tyres had already started to degrade, preventing him from making a meaningful attack. Ferrari then reversed the order again, allowing Leclerc to retake the position. The result was a fruitless shuffle that saw neither Ferrari driver make any progress after the pit stops, despite the early signs that Hamilton had the pace to challenge those ahead.
Sky Sports commentator Martin Brundle expressed disbelief at how long it took Ferrari to act. He criticised the team’s indecisiveness, calling the delayed team orders puzzling and suggesting the Scuderia squandered a valuable opportunity. The sluggish response mirrored the difficulties that plagued Ferrari all weekend, including Hamilton’s early Q2 elimination in qualifying on Saturday.
Hamilton was visibly irritated during the race, with team radio messages capturing his displeasure. At one point, he questioned the team’s decision-making by stating that it wasn’t good teamwork. His sarcasm later emerged when he jokingly suggested letting Carlos Sainz through in the final laps, adding to the sense of frustration over Ferrari’s intra-team handling.
However, Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur acted swiftly after the chequered flag to defuse the situation. According to journalist Adam Cooper, who observed the paddock interactions, Fred Vasseur made a beeline for Hamilton after the race and placed an arm around his shoulders. This immediate gesture appeared to ease tensions, with Hamilton appearing more relaxed and upbeat when he later spoke with reporters. He even commented positively on the car’s performance on medium tyres and said he had enjoyed elements of the race.
The Miami Grand Prix marked the sixth round of the season, meaning 25% of the calendar is now complete. Although the championship may already feel like a long shot for Ferrari, hope is far from lost. The next event, the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix at Imola, will be the team’s first home race of the year—and one that is expected to bring a major update package for the SF-25.
With much of the grid planning key upgrades as the sport returns to Europe, Imola presents Ferrari with an opportunity to change the momentum of their campaign. For Hamilton, who is still adjusting after more than a decade at Mercedes, it may be the race where things finally start to come together. If not, Ferrari could be forced to shift their focus toward the upcoming 2026 regulation changes sooner than anticipated, aiming to position themselves ahead of the competition in the next era of Formula 1.
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