Throughout the race, Lewis Hamilton reported ongoing performance issues, stating over team radio that he was experiencing a noticeable loss of power. The Ferrari driver compared the situation to previous struggles earlier in the season, including similar concerns raised at Suzuka. The damage sustained in the collision was later considered a major factor in limiting his competitiveness, with the Briton ultimately crossing the line in seventh position on the road.
However, the final classification changed after the race. Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc received a 20-second penalty for exceeding track limits following a late-race incident, which dropped Charles Leclerc down the order and promoted Lewis Hamilton to sixth place overall.
After the race, the seven-time F1 world champion acknowledged the impact of the incident and apologised to the Ferrari team for the damage sustained, while also making clear his dissatisfaction with Franco Colapinto following their on-track clash.
The stewards reviewed the incident between Lewis Hamilton and Franco Colapinto and ultimately classified it as a racing incident, with no further penalties issued. Shortly after the contact, Lewis Hamilton managed to overtake Franco Colapinto on the back straight, where onboard footage captured a moment that quickly went viral across social media platforms.
In the video, Lewis Hamilton appeared to make a middle-finger gesture as he passed Franco Colapinto, a reaction that sparked immediate debate among Formula 1 fans and analysts. The moment was widely shared and dissected online, becoming one of the most discussed clips from the Miami Grand Prix.
Reactions on social media were divided, although many Formula 1 fans defended Lewis Hamilton, arguing that the frustration was understandable given the extent of the damage and the lost opportunity for a strong result. Several users on X (formerly Twitter) suggested that the reaction reflected the circumstances of a compromised race rather than unsporting intent.
Some fans claimed that Lewis Hamilton had been in contention for a potential top-three finish before the collision, while others emphasised that the Ferrari driver’s race had been effectively ruined from the opening lap. A number of comments also highlighted how unusual it was to see such a reaction from the seven-time world champion, describing it as a rare emotional moment under pressure.
Franco Colapinto’s name had previously been linked with admiration for Lewis Hamilton, adding further context to the situation. The Argentine driver had openly spoken in the past about his respect for Lewis Hamilton, whom he described as one of his childhood idols alongside Ayrton Senna.
Following their earlier encounter in Formula 1 during the previous season, Franco Colapinto recalled a memorable moment shared with Lewis Hamilton when both travelled together on the same flight after a race weekend. Franco Colapinto described the experience as “very special” and praised Lewis Hamilton not only as a driver but also as a person.
The Alpine driver explained that the opportunity came about after a casual conversation about travel plans, which led to an unexpected invitation to join Lewis Hamilton on his private jet. He described it as a unique experience, noting that it was his first time flying privately and that the journey included several personal stories shared by the seven-time world champion.
Despite the tension seen during the Miami Grand Prix, Franco Colapinto has previously expressed deep admiration for Lewis Hamilton’s career, highlighting both his sporting achievements and professional attitude as key sources of inspiration.
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