Hamilton calls Miami weekend 'tough to take' but vows it won't define Ferrari's season

Lewis Hamilton has described his difficult Miami Grand Prix weekend as "challenging" and "tough to take" but insists the performance "won't define" his and Ferrari's season. The seven-time champion struggled for pace relative to teammate Charles Leclerc and finished outside the top five in every session, salvaging a sixth-place finish in the race only after Leclerc received a penalty.

Why it matters:

Hamilton's admission highlights the growing performance gap to his teammate at recent events, raising questions about his adaptation to the upgraded Ferrari and the team's ability to provide both drivers with a consistently competitive car. After a strong start to the season with a podium in China, this step back is a reality check for the Scuderia's championship aspirations and puts pressure on the team to understand the car's nuances ahead of a crucial part of the calendar.

The details:

• Hamilton was consistently slower than Charles Leclerc throughout the Miami Sprint weekend, failing to crack the top five in any session.
• His final race classification of sixth was due to a 20-second time penalty for Leclerc for cutting corners after hitting the wall on the final lap, not outright pace.
• The Briton cited contact on the opening lap with Alpine's Franco Colapinto as a major setback, damaging his car and leaving him in "no man's land" for the majority of the grand prix.
• Despite Ferrari bringing 11 significant upgrades to Miami, Hamilton felt his results did "not truly reflect the hard work the team has done."
• He acknowledged a performance deficit to Leclerc in both Japan and Miami, marking a dip in form after promising results in Australia and China.

What's next:

Hamilton is already looking ahead to a reset in Montreal, a circuit where he has historically excelled.

• He hinted at a change in his personal preparation, stating, "The way we're preparing at the moment is not helping. We'll see how that goes for the next race."
• The Canadian Grand Prix presents an immediate opportunity for redemption. With six poles and seven wins there, Hamilton will be eager to leverage his experience and Ferrari's upgraded package to return to the front.
• The team's focus will be on analyzing the data from Miami to ensure both drivers can extract the maximum from the new developments, turning potential into points.