Lewis Hamilton: “Mixed emotions” after Miami sprint success and qualifying struggles

Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton finished on the podium in the short 30-minute sprint race at the Miami Grand Prix, but could only qualify in 12th place for Sunday’s race.

Hamilton is having an up and down season with his new Ferrari team with highs, such as his victory in the Chinese GP sprint race, contrasted with disappointing lows.

Hamilton, 40, reflected on his podium in the sprint race and said: “[It was a] difficult session. Mixed emotions. It was a good, decent result [in the sprint race], but it was not pure pace.

“It was a good call in the strategy, but in pure pace we didn’t have it.

“I was one of the first here this morning to make sure we took the right steps through the day and [it] didn’t make any difference. The car is just different every time you go out.”

Hamilton was unable to hide is disappointment at failing to reach to Q3 and a place in the top 10 for the race, while his team-mate Charles Leclerc was only quick enough for eighth on the gird.

He added: “We’re out-qualified by the Williams so they’re doing a great job. But pure pace… That’s where we are. Charles was fortunate to get through with a new tyre, so I just got in through it. If I had an extra new tyre we should have used it.

“The sprint race was better than qualifying but as I said we are where we are. We need some upgrades, we need some improvements, we need lots of things that need to be better.

“I’ve tried everything. We’re trying everything. The smallest bit of time and I was out. If we had gone out with a new tyre I probably would have been in Q3. Then it would just be eighth or ninth with Charles.

“It doesn’t make a huge difference, but the fact is we are trying, and we don’t have the pace.”

With rain forecast for Sunday’s race, Hamilton is also unsure whether that will give him any advantage.

He said: “The car was not good in the wet. I don’t know if it will be tomorrow either. We’ll see.

“I’ll do a lot of praying tonight. There’s opportunity for sure. If it started dry and then went wet or something like that, it could be kind of neat. You’ve got to be lucky as well.”

Stay up to speed with the latest F1 Miami Grand Prix news, expert analysis, photos and videos. Join our watch along on Race Center Live by signing up here.