Hamilton's failure in Miami: "Just getting into Q3 is difficult for us"

From dream to nightmare, from joy to disappointment: in just a few hours, Lewis Hamilton went through a lot of emotions on Saturday in Miami. His day had started well in Florida: during the Sprint, thanks to some well-inspired timing in switching from intermediates to slicks, the driver Ferrari achieved an almost unexpected 3rd place (6th on the grid), in an exercise that suits him well after his victory in China in this same format. Unfortunately, this "podium" acquired during the Sprint was certainly very flattering for the Briton and for his team.

A few hours later, on a very dry track, Lewis Hamilton was sadly eliminated in Q2, a first for him this season with his new team. Having only set the 12th fastest time, the Englishman missed out on each of his attempts, particularly in the final corner where he kept going wide, sometimes locking his front left wheel. Eliminated by just 39 thousandths of a second, with a time only 58 thousandths slower than Charles LeclercThe seven-time world champion may have some regrets after this failed qualification. However, for the Briton, the pain goes deeper than just his performance in Miami.

Hamilton and Ferrari « simply not fast enough"

"We will keep trying, we are only six races in but we are struggling a lot, said the 40-year-old pilot to Sky Sports F1. We're trying as hard as possible not to make big set-up changes, but whatever we do, it's totally inconsistent every time we go out on track. We have problems with the brakes, we have problems with this instability that we're struggling with. We're just not quick enough: just getting into Q3 is difficult for us at the moment, and once you're back, it's difficult to gain points."

Difficult, but perhaps not impossible for Lewis Hamilton. If the weather plays its part again, then the Englishman could well have opportunities to move up the order of the leaderboard, as he did in the Sprint. However, if the race remains dry, the Ferrari driver will have to fight hard in the heart of the pack to hope to score some points, and with the dirty air, it's hard to imagine a fantastic comeback for the Briton. "[Sunday] will be difficult, but we'll try again. However, it's the same for me. I'm used to it, it's just the way it is, and I'll keep trying. I'll go back to the factory next week and keep moving forward." Disappointed, but far from resigned, Lewis Hamilton.

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