Hamilton reflects on mixed Saturday at Miami F1 grand prix

The seven-time Formula 1 champion Lewis Hamilton finished on the podium in the short 30-minute sprint race at the Miami Grand Prix - but could only qualify 12th for Sunday’s contest.

Hamilton is having an up and down season with his new Ferrari team with highs, such as his victory in the Chinese GP sprint race, contrasted with disappointing lows.

Hamilton, 40, reflected on his podium in the sprint and said: “[It was a] difficult session. Mixed emotions. It was a good, decent result [in the sprint race], but it was not pure pace.

“It was a good call in the strategy, but in pure pace we didn't have it.

“I was one of the first here this morning to make sure we took the right steps through the day and [it] didn't make any difference. The car is just different every time you go out.”

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari

Photo by: James Sutton / Motorsport Images

Hamilton was unable to hide his disappointment at failing to reach Q3 and take a place in the top 10 for the grand prix, while team-mate Charles Leclerc was only managed eighth.

The Briton added: “We're outqualified by the Williams so they're doing a great job. But pure pace... That's where we are. Charles was fortunate to get through with a new tyre, so I just got in through it. If I had an extra new tyre we should have used it.

“The sprint race was better than qualifying but as I said we are where we are. We need some upgrades, we need some improvements, we need lots of things that need to be better.

“I've tried everything. We're trying everything. The smallest bit of time and I was out. If we had gone out with a new tyre I probably would have been in Q3. Then it would just be eighth or ninth with Charles.

“It doesn't make a huge difference, but the fact is we are trying, and we don't have the pace.”

With rain forecast for Sunday’s race, Hamilton is also unsure whether that will give him any advantage.

He said: “The car was not good in the wet. I don't know if it will be tomorrow either. We'll see.

“I'll do a lot of praying tonight. There's opportunity for sure. If it started dry and then went wet or something like that, it could be kind of neat. You've got to be lucky as well.”

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