Breaking:Miami GP: Sprint success for Lewis Hamilton turns to more qualifying woe as… read more
Lewis Hamilton’s rollercoaster weekend at the Miami Grand Prix offered a snapshot of the turbulent start to his Ferrari chapter, as a promising Sprint result gave way to more disappointment in qualifying.
Having made a sensational move from Mercedes to Ferrari after more than a decade, Hamilton initially showed signs of resurgence in China during the season’s second round, where he took pole position and won the Sprint. That moment had appeared to signal a fresh beginning with the Italian outfit. However, his full-race disqualification the following day in Shanghai due to a technical infringement halted that momentum. Since then, Hamilton has faced ongoing challenges, with his best performance in the next three events being a seventh-place qualifying and a fifth-place race finish. Compounding his struggles, his team-mate Charles Leclerc has consistently outpaced him, putting Hamilton under increased scrutiny.
In Miami, Saturday’s Sprint event briefly lifted spirits. Hamilton capitalized on a bold early strategy call by Ferrari, switching from intermediate to slick tyres just as the track conditions improved. This decision allowed him to climb from a vulnerable sixth place to secure a third-place finish, trailing only the McLaren drivers. Though the six points gained didn’t affect his standing—he remains seventh in the Drivers’ Championship—the result was a rare glimmer of hope in an otherwise difficult season.
Speaking after the Sprint, Hamilton couldn’t hide his relief. “Oh man, I’m so happy with that,” he told fans during his post-race interview. “It’s been a tough year so far.” His joy was palpable, yet he seemed aware that the result was less about raw speed and more about clever timing on the pit wall. Ferrari’s decision to bring him in early for slicks proved pivotal in gaining track position, rather than Hamilton simply outpacing the competition.
Despite the positive Sprint outcome, Hamilton’s joy was short-lived. Later in the day, during qualifying for Sunday’s main race, the struggles that have plagued his 2025 campaign returned. He was eliminated early in the session, continuing a trend of underwhelming Saturdays that have undermined his race-day prospects.
This pattern of brief highs followed by frustrating lows has typified Hamilton’s time at Ferrari so far. The Miami weekend was a microcosm of his season—strategic brilliance salvaging a Sprint podium, only to be followed by another reminder of the team’s broader performance issues in qualifying. For now, Hamilton remains searching for consistency and a breakthrough that can turn these glimpses of promise into lasting success.
Would you like a summary of Charles Leclerc’s performance as well?
