Lewis Hamilton failed to carry the momentum from his Miami Grand Prix Sprint podium into qualifying. His 100% Q3 record as a Ferrari driver is at an end.
Hamilton is set to start the race in 12th, having failed to improve on his second run in Q2. His first effort on used tyres was solid, but a mistake at turn one on the fresh rubber may have cost him.
Having started the Sprint in P7, Hamilton took charge of his Ferrari strategy by pitting early for soft tyres on a drying track. The gamble paid off as he climbed to P3.
| RANK | DRIVER | TEAM | TIME |
| 11 | Isack Hadjar | Racing Bulls | 1:26.987 |
| 12 | Lewis Hamilton | Ferrari | 1:27.006 |
| 13 | Gabriel Bortoleto | Sauber | 1:27.151 |
| 14 | Jack Doohan | Alpine | 1:27.186 |
| 15 | Liam Lawson | Racing Bulls | 1:27.363 |
That generated some much-needed positivity for the seven-time world champion. But that may dissipate after another setback, one that may severely limit his ceiling for Sunday’s race.
Jenson Button says Lewis Hamilton is more ‘calm’ than he used to be, but he’s lost explosiveness
Speaking before the session on Sky Sports, Hamilton’s former teammate Jenson Button noted his ‘calm personality’. He’s now the second-oldest driver on the grid at 40 behind Fernando Alonso.
During his McLaren days, Hamilton was apparently more volatile. But he was most dangerous when his mood was lowest.
Though he’s more ’rounded’ these days, he may not be as explosive. Hamilton was forlorn heading into the Miami weekend and hasn’t shown those vintage recovery powers.
He now trails Charles Leclerc 5-1 in the qualifying head-to-head, or 7-2 if Sprints are included. Leclerc was only eighth on the grid, which shows that Ferrari’s issues go well beyond Hamilton’s struggles.
“Lewis is a different character now than he was when we were teammates,” Button said. “If he was deflated, the next day he was out and on it and on super fast.
“Now, he’s much more of a calm personality, he’s much more of a rounded character. I think it is starting to hurt him a little bit, constantly being slower than his teammate. That’s not how Lewis Hamilton is built. He’s a winner.”
Damon Hill identifies Lewis Hamilton’s biggest Ferrari problem at the Miami Grand Prix
Ferrari told Hamilton not to ‘give up’ heading into the Miami Grand Prix. Team principal Fred Vasseur may now be bracing himself for a fresh round of dejected interview answers from his superstar signing.
A strong result in the Sprint was a testament to his experience rather than his outright speed. He still lacks fundamental comfort in the car.
1996 world champion Damon Hill says Hamilton need to change his Mercedes braking habits. Ferrari use a different supplier.
He outbraked himself into the final corner twice during qualifying to prove Hill’s point. It’s his second Q2 exit at this circuit after a P13 start in 2023.
