Lewis Hamilton secured a podium finish in the Miami sprint race after an audacious tyre strategy, demonstrating resilience and determination amid a challenging season. The seven-time world champion, who qualified seventh for the event, made an early switch from intermediate to slick tyres, a gamble that ultimately paid off on the tricky Miami track. This strategic move allowed Hamilton to climb to third place behind McLaren drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, marking a vital boost in confidence after recent struggles in the 2025 Formula 1 season.
Hamilton’s performance in Miami contrasted sharply with his difficult recent weeks, including a disappointing result in Jeddah where he appeared off pace. However, the sprint race presented a unique challenge due to the wet conditions and intermediate tyre usage. After witnessing his Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc crash out on the intermediates before the race, Hamilton faced uncertainty himself but chose to delay the start and assess conditions carefully. Once he realized he was losing pace, Hamilton made the crucial decision to pit early for soft slick tyres, anticipating the track would soon dry.
His decision triggered a flurry of pit stops among other contenders as the track conditions evolved. While chaos unfolded with several crashes and spins among front runners, Hamilton expertly navigated through the turmoil to claim a hard-earned third place podium. Reflecting on his choice, Hamilton admitted,
I really, really did struggle on the inters. I think everyone was struggling on them and I just, I made that call at the end. I was like, ‘I’m coming in because I was going nowhere.’ So, take the risk, take the gamble and it paid off.
Hamilton acknowledged that more laps could have allowed him to challenge the two McLaren drivers ahead, sharing respect for their strong performances.
I wish we had another couple of laps to give these guys a bit of a fight, but, you know, big congrats to McLaren as always,
he said. The driver described the frustrating difficulty he encountered driving on intermediates, explaining how the car just wouldn’t respond properly in key corners despite his best efforts.
I was full lock through turn 12 and full lock through turn 16 and it still wasn’t turning, so I was like, let’s just go for it. Honestly, I should have done it maybe a lap or two before that.
Beyond his own result, Hamilton pointed to wider issues affecting Ferrari’s competitiveness, urging the team to extract more from the car to better challenge rivals.
Honestly, I think the fact is so far, we’re not extracting everything. I don’t think we’re extracting everything from the car,
he said with a tone of concern and determination. He recognized the strengths in downforce but admitted that Ferrari lagged behind both McLaren and Red Bull, suggesting the team needs to raise its game significantly to close the performance gap.
I think we should be fighting a little bit closer, perhaps, to the Red Bulls and to McLaren. So I think there’s a lot of elements that we need to elevate.
Hamilton’s analysis painted a picture of a team facing ongoing challenges in consistency since the Chinese Grand Prix, where he had previously celebrated a surprise sprint race victory. The Miami event appeared as a glimmer of hope, but the driver was clear that much work remains.
Every moment counts and I think it’s definitely been not so great, obviously, since China. But looking at it, you can definitely see perhaps why we’ve been in the position that we’re in,
Hamilton reflected candidly.
Addressing the road ahead with seriousness, Hamilton called for focused effort.
I think coming into this weekend, we made some changes, but we have more to do in order to be fighting more consistently at the front. So we just need to knuckle down. And I do believe that we can get some better results.
His words underscored an intense urgency within the team to reverse recent disappointments and mount a serious challenge as the season progresses.
This Miami sprint race therefore stands as a pivotal moment for Hamilton and Ferrari, blending the anxiety of past struggles with the hope kindled by clever strategy and perseverance. The podium finish not only boosts Hamilton’s morale but also highlights the fine margins that define Formula 1 racing, where quick decisions and adaptability can alter the course of a race dramatically. As the season unfolds, all eyes will remain on Hamilton to see if he can maintain this momentum and push towards the front once again, while Ferrari works tirelessly to close the competitive gap.
