Miami Grand Prix Sprint Race Report: Hamilton Shows Resilience Despite Qualifying Struggles
Miami, FL – Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton secured a podium finish in the brief 30-minute sprint race at the Miami Grand Prix but faced a setback during qualifying, where he placed 12th for the main event.
Hamilton, now competing for Ferrari, has experienced a season marked by stark contrasts, including a recent victory in the Chinese GP sprint race followed by disappointment in qualifying at Miami.
Reflecting on his sprint performance, Hamilton noted, “It was a difficult session. Mixed emotions. It was a decent result, but it was not pure pace.” He attributed part of his podium finish to strategic decisions rather than raw speed, adding, “We need some upgrades… We don’t have the pace.”
Teammate Charles Leclerc did not fare significantly better, qualifying eighth on the grid. Hamilton expressed his frustration, stating, “We’re out-qualified by Williams, which shows that they’re doing a great job. Charles was fortunate to get through with a new tire. If I had an extra new tire, we’d probably have made Q3.”
Looking ahead to the main race, Hamilton is left unsure about the weather’s potential impact on his performance, particularly with rain in the forecast. “The car was not good in the wet. I don’t know if it will be tomorrow either,” he remarked, emphasizing the randomness of racing conditions.
As Hamilton prepares for the main event, he remains determined, stating, “There’s opportunity for sure… If it started dry and then went wet, that could be interesting."
With the complexity of the season ahead, Hamilton’s adaptability will undoubtedly play a crucial role as he aims for continued success with Ferrari.
