F1 News: Lewis Hamilton reveals Mercedes' biggest Miami problem after miserable display

Miami Grand Prix

Hamilton reveals Mercedes' biggest Miami problem after miserable display

The Brit again struggled to maximise the best out of the W15

Tyler Rowlinson

Sunday 5 May 2024 09:57 Updated: 12:31

Lewis Hamilton was only able to qualify down in eighth on the grid for the Miami Grand Prix in what was another disappointing display for Mercedes.

It has been the Brackley-based squad’s worst start to a season since 2011, with Hamilton currently sitting ninth in the championship with 19 points scored.

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In qualifying for the sprint race, Hamilton and team-mate George Russell were both eliminated in SQ2, lining up 11th and 12th respectively.

It did not get any better in the sprint itself, as the 39-year-old collided with Fernando Alonso on the first corner after the start and was handed a 20-second time penalty after the race for speeding in the pitlane, demoting him from eighth to 16th.

Lewis Hamilton qualified P8 for the race in Miami

The Brit was demoted to P16 in the sprint

Hamilton Mercedes woes

Speaking with Sky Sports after qualifying>, Hamilton revealed his issues with the soft tyres around the Miami circuit.

“The track temperature was pretty similar I would say the whole way through and the grip of the track felt really good,” he said.

“But these tyres are so sensitive and trying to get the tyres to work and to deliver the maximum potential throughout the whole lap is something that I would say we’re struggling with.

“And then had that glimpse of hope, I guess in Q2, and then Q3 was nowhere.

“I mean generally it’s been a much better day I would say,” he added. “I mean we went forwards at least in the first race, in the sprint race and then qualifying, getting into Q3 which is a positive. Q3 just wasn’t really great, but I’m grateful to have got into there.

“But I mean, for us to be eight tenths off is tough. We’re obviously fighting the Haas, I don’t really know if that’s the true speed of our car or whether it’s the tyres. I think there’s a lot on these tyres that we’re just struggling to, we’ve not been able to use them all year.”

Lewis Hamilton Mercedes Daniel Ricciardo Fernando Alonso Miami Grand Prix