Lewis Hamilton’s debut season with Ferrari has been a rollercoaster, and the Miami Grand Prix sprint qualifying session added another chapter to the saga.
The seven-time world champion, known for his composure, was left visibly frustrated after a tense team radio exchange that highlighted ongoing struggles with his new team.
As rain-soaked chaos descended on the Miami International Autodrome, Hamilton’s exasperation became the talking point of the session.
During the sprint qualifying, Hamilton battled both the slippery track and Ferrari’s perplexing strategy calls. Starting in P7, he showed flashes of brilliance, eventually securing a hard-fought P3 in the sprint race. However, the qualifying session exposed cracks in Ferrari’s communication. Audio captured Hamilton questioning the team’s decision-making, particularly their choice to send him out on intermediate tires as conditions shifted. “I don’t know how you put us out on inters!” he fumed over the radio, a rare public display of irritation. The call, which he later described as “really confusing,” left him struggling for grip and cost valuable time.
Ferrari’s strategy missteps didn’t end there. In Q2, the team opted to send Hamilton out on used soft tires, reserving only one fresh set—a decision that baffled the Briton. “We should have utilized two new sets,” he told Sky Sports F1, shaking his head. The choice proved costly, as Hamilton locked up at Turn 17, resulting in a dismal P12 for Sunday’s main race grid. His teammate, Charles Leclerc, fared little better, crashing before the sprint and qualifying P8, underscoring Ferrari’s broader struggles.
Despite the podium in the sprint, Hamilton’s post-session comments were laced with concern. “We’re struggling big time,” he admitted, urging Ferrari to bring upgrades to close the gap to rivals like McLaren and Red Bull. The team’s early switch to slicks in the sprint had been a masterstroke, but their inability to replicate that decisiveness in qualifying left Hamilton exposed. Fans on X echoed his frustration, with one post praising his “genius call” to push for slicks, while another criticized Ferrari’s “confusing” radio messages.
The Miami GP weekend encapsulates Hamilton’s Ferrari journey: moments of promise overshadowed by operational hiccups. His third-place sprint finish, aided by a bold tire strategy, showed his knack for seizing opportunities. Yet, the team’s failure to optimize his qualifying runs has raised questions about their championship credentials. With Ferrari trailing expectations in 2025, team principal Fred Vasseur faces mounting pressure to deliver.
As Hamilton prepares for the main race, starting from a lowly P12, his resolve remains unshaken. “I’ll keep trying,” he vowed, already looking ahead to the factory debrief. For now, the Miami GP serves as a stark reminder: even a legend like Hamilton can’t outrun a team’s growing pains. Ferrari’s path to glory demands more than talent—it requires cohesion, and fast.[](https://www.express.co.uk/sport/f1-autosport/2050123/F1-live-Hamilton-Verstappen-Norris-Miami-Grand-Prix)[](https://www.sportskeeda.com/f1/news-lewis-hamilton-criticises-ferrari-s-team-strategy-cost-f1-miami-gp-qualifying)[](https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article/just-to-get-into-q3-is-tough-hamilton-admits-ferrari-struggling-big-time.6SyyCc8jkqp3X24tfxEJuI)
