Lewis Hamilton was never able to fight after a chaotic first lap that compromised his entire race in Miami.
Read more Isack Hadjar bitter in Miami: «I was not smart» after an expensive crash
The Grand Prix held at the Miami International Autodrome left a bitter taste for Lewis Hamilton. Already discreet during the sprint race, the Briton hoped to bounce back in the main race, but his ambitions were quickly dashed.
“Obviously, this is not a good weekend at all. Seventh and seventh; in no man’s land during both races” he regrets, clear-eyed about a result well below expectations.
A fatal first lap
Everything was decided in the first corners. Caught in a hectic sequence involving notably Max Verstappen, Hamilton had to urgently change his trajectory.
“I was unlucky with Max’s spin and I had to go to his right, he explains. I had a good start and was well placed, but I had no other option.
This forced choice exposed him to further incidents, causing an immediate loss of positions. The situation worsened moments later with an additional contact, this time with Franco Colapinto.
“It was Franco who hit me, which caused me to lose a lot of performance, Hamilton confides. With the damage, there was nothing I could do. I had 15 aero points less, equivalent to half a second per lap.”
Read more Pierre Gasly sent tumbling in Miami: big disappointment for the Frenchman
A race without solution
Deprived of performance, Hamilton found himself stuck in the pack, with no possibility to climb significantly. Despite his efforts, he was never able to get back into the fight for important positions.
“It’s really unfortunate because the team worked very hard, so to leave with so few points…” he confides, visibly affected by this result.
With a seventh place at the finish, the seven-time world champion leaves Miami frustrated, aware that the potential was much higher without these incidents.
“We have to turn the page and move forward” concludes Hamilton, determined to bounce back at the next race.
A weekend to forget for Ferrari and its driver, who clearly hoped for a very different scenario in Florida.
Read more Liam Lawson cleared after crash with Gasly in Miami