Lewis Hamilton experienced another frustrating day at the Miami Grand Prix, facing difficulties throughout the weekend despite showing promise during the Sprint Race.
Starting in seventh for the Sprint Race, Hamilton managed to secure his second podium finish in this format in 2025. He made a bold strategic move by switching from intermediate to slick tyres earlier than many of his competitors, a decision that allowed him to climb the standings. However, the choice was also somewhat forced, as Hamilton was struggling with the intermediates and was under significant pressure from Williams driver Alex Albon.
Sunday’s Grand Prix qualifying took place in dry conditions, but Hamilton’s session ended early. The seven-time world champion was eliminated in Q2, narrowly missing out on a place in the top 10 shootout. Meanwhile, his Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc managed to make it through, even after a crash before the start of the Sprint Race.
Despite Max Verstappen expressing admiration for Lewis Hamilton’s performance ahead of the weekend, the 40-year-old didn’t share similar sentiments towards Ferrari’s efforts during qualifying. A key strategy call backfired and contributed to his early exit.
Hamilton expressed frustration with Ferrari’s decision not to use a new set of soft tyres during qualifying. During a post-race interview with Sky Sports F1 (May 3, 2025), he was asked if he had saved a fresh set of soft tyres for Q3 and if he had requested to use them in Q2. Hamilton replied, stating that it “didn’t make sense” to not use two new sets, especially when struggling for pace. He suggested that this was something Ferrari would need to review and address in the debrief.
World champion Jenson Button, reflecting on Hamilton’s comments, pointed out that Ferrari likely didn’t anticipate Lewis Hamilton being eliminated at that stage. He noted that Ferrari typically expects to reach Q3, and while Leclerc did a remarkable job to make the top 10, he still found himself behind two Williams drivers. The former Formula 1 driver highlighted that the weekend hadn’t been easy for Ferrari, adding that the balance of performance in F1 often fluctuates from race to race.
Danica Patrick further emphasized that the Miami track is notoriously difficult for overtaking. She noted that, unless a driver has significant straight-line speed, their qualifying position is crucial. Given Lewis Hamilton’s struggles, she expressed that Ferrari should have taken every opportunity to improve his performance, particularly when he was already facing challenges.
Hamilton’s third-place finish in the Sprint Race was a highlight of the weekend, but his current position in the driver standings remains precarious. He now sits in seventh place in the championship. Unless Ferrari can quickly resolve their ongoing design issues, it appears unlikely that Hamilton will be able to compete for an eighth title in 2025.
Despite the setbacks, Lewis Hamilton made up valuable points on Andrea Kimi Antonelli, who set the record for the youngest pole sitter in F1 history during Sprint qualifying. Though Antonelli’s record may be somewhat less significant given the Sprint format, it was still an impressive feat for the 18-year-old, who will start ahead of George Russell in Sunday’s race.
The Briton’s third-place finish in the Sprint Race also marked a historic achievement. With this result, Hamilton has now been classified in the top four positions at every one of the 38 circuits he has raced at in Formula 1. Next season, with the addition of the Madrid Grand Prix to the calendar, he will have a 39th track to add to his list.
However, with new regulations expected for the following season, there remains significant uncertainty surrounding Ferrari’s competitiveness. Despite their efforts to improve this year, the Maranello team’s ongoing struggles suggest that they may face further challenges in the near future.
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