Lewis Hamilton has openly called for urgent upgrades to Ferrari’s car after an underwhelming qualifying performance at the Miami Grand Prix, where he finished 12th, his worst session this season. His teammate Charles Leclerc qualified eighth, but both drivers faced tough challenges that left the team struggling to keep pace with rivals. Hamilton’s plea highlights growing frustration within Ferrari as they search for solutions to their sudden dip in competitiveness on a track that demands precision and speed.
The day was marked by a series of setbacks for Ferrari, beginning with a crash for Leclerc before the sprint race even started. Although Hamilton managed a podium finish in the sprint, it was a rare bright spot amid broader disappointment. During qualifying, Hamilton experienced drivability issues, locking up in Q1 and narrowly avoiding early elimination. Despite advancing, he was unable to maintain performance, ultimately finishing well outside the top 10 and far behind expectations.
Immediately after qualifying, Hamilton expressed strong concern about the car’s pace and handling, insisting that significant improvements were needed for the upcoming races.
The sprint race was better than qualifying, but we are where we are,
he said.
We need some upgrades. We need some improvements. Really, we’ve got lots of things that need to be better.
Hamilton’s frustration was clear as he recounted his efforts to find more speed.
I don’t feel it in my heart and as I said, I’m trying everything. We’re trying everything. The smallest bit of time and I was out. If we went out on the new tyre, I probably would have been in Q3 and then maybe I’ll be eighth or ninth with Charles, so it doesn’t make a huge difference. But the fact is, we are trying and we don’t have the pace.
Comparing Ferrari’s pace to other teams, Hamilton highlighted that even Williams outqualified them, underscoring how dire the situation is for the Scuderia.
Williams are doing a great job, James [Vowles] and his team are doing an amazing job, but pure pace, that’s where we are. Charles was fortunate to get through with that new tyre. It just got him through. I had an extra new tyre, we should have used that.
Meanwhile, Leclerc shared his own disappointment, admitting that despite extracting what he could from the car, Ferrari simply lacks the potential to challenge the frontrunners.
To be honest, this weekend, I feel like we are maximizing the potential of the car,
he said.
It shows that the potential of the car is just not there. When I finished a lap again today in qualifying, I felt very satisfied with my lap, then it’s only bringing us P8.
Leclerc further explained that Miami’s characteristics expose Ferrari’s weaknesses, specifically in low-speed corners where they are losing ground to teams like Williams.
We’ve got to look at it. I think a track like this also highlights our weaknesses. There’s a lot of low-speed corners and both Williams are in front of us and I consider my lap a good one. So I think it’s pretty easy to understand where we are lacking.
The urgency in Hamilton’s call for upgrades reflects a growing anxiety within Ferrari, as the team faces mounting pressure from competitors and fans alike. The lack of pace puts their championship hopes in jeopardy, intensifying the need for immediate technical solutions and strategic improvements. Without swift action, Ferrari risks falling further behind in a season where every fraction of a second counts, and drivers like Lewis Hamilton are left grappling with frustration and uncertainty on the track.
