BREAKING:Lewis Hamilton’s verdict on Sainz Miami GP crash after… read more
During the closing stages of the 2025 Miami Grand Prix, a dramatic clash unfolded between Lewis Hamilton and Carlos Sainz as they battled for position, with Hamilton ultimately finishing eighth and Sainz just behind. The incident, which took place on the final lap, saw Sainz attempting an aggressive move on Hamilton at Turn 17. Despite their wheel-to-wheel contact, both drivers offered contrasting perspectives on what transpired, though the stewards ultimately deemed it a racing incident.
Carlos Sainz, who now drives for Williams after leaving Ferrari, described the collision with Hamilton as “quite typical.” According to Sainz, the Mercedes driver moved in reaction to his dive into the corner, which led to them making contact. He believed Hamilton’s defense was expected and standard in such high-pressure situations. However, Sainz noted that Hamilton’s move might have exceeded what’s allowed under the rules, particularly since drivers are not permitted to move excessively once another car is committed to a pass. Still, he acknowledged that such actions are common in the final moments of a race when tensions and stakes are high.
The stewards reviewed the incident and concluded that both drivers were at fault to some degree. Their report indicated that Sainz had not clearly established a position into the corner, while Hamilton had turned in earlier than he usually would. Given that neither driver was predominantly to blame, no penalties were issued.
Hamilton, meanwhile, took a more composed view of the situation. Speaking to the press, including PlanetF1.com, he praised Sainz’s attempt, calling it a “good move.” He acknowledged the contact but didn’t express frustration or lay blame. Hamilton noted that Sainz had gotten within DRS range by the final corner and that their touch occurred as he was turning into the apex.
Earlier in the race, Hamilton had been frustrated with Ferrari’s team tactics, particularly as Charles Leclerc, his current teammate at Ferrari, was allowed to re-pass him after an earlier team order reversal. When told that Sainz was closing in late in the race, Hamilton sarcastically remarked, “You want me to let him pass as well?”—clearly unhappy with how the race was unfolding from his perspective.
With this result, Hamilton continues to face challenges in the 2025 season, having not reached the podium in any full Grand Prix yet. Although he claimed a Sprint race victory in China and a third-place Sprint finish in Miami, he currently sits seventh in the Drivers’ Championship with 41 points, far behind leader Oscar Piastri.
Reflecting on his performance and the state of Ferrari, Hamilton admitted that while the car has potential, something is holding it back. He said the team has lost performance since the Chinese Grand Prix and urgently needs to find a solution to unleash the car’s full capabilities. Confident that a fix would bring them back into contention with Red Bull and Mercedes, Hamilton stressed that improvements cannot come soon enough.
