Hamilton requires Ferrari enhancements as Q2 exit follows Dash P3
Lewis Hamilton says Ferrari must make enhancements to its automobile after dropping out in Q2 on the Miami Grand Prix regardless of a prime three end within the Dash.
Each Ferrari drivers certified within the prime seven for the Dash however Charles Leclerc crashed on the way in which to the grid in moist circumstances, whereas Hamilton was struggling earlier than a well-timed early pit cease for slick tires helped him salvage a formidable third place. Qualifying within the dry on Saturday afternoon was a special story, with Hamilton eradicated in twelfth and Leclerc solely eighth, and the seven-time world champion says the Ferrari is simply not aggressive sufficient in Miami.
“It was a troublesome session, clearly combined feelings,” Hamilton mentioned. “A great, first rate consequence, however it wasn’t pure tempo, it was a very good name within the technique, however on pure tempo we didn’t have it within the race. I used to be one of many first right here this morning to verify we took the fitting steps by way of the day, and it didn’t make any distinction.
“Simply assume it’s good [to score the Sprint result] however pure tempo … I imply we had been out-qualified by the Williams. James [Vowles] and his crew are doing a tremendous job, however pure tempo, that’s the place we’re.
“Charles was lucky to get by way of [to Q3] with … I feel he had a brand new tire, in order that simply acquired him by way of. I had an additional new tire, so we must always have used that.
“The Dash race was higher [than] qualifying. However we’re the place we’re. We’d like some upgrades, we’d like some enhancements. We’ve acquired numerous issues that should be higher.”
Teammate Leclerc was additionally eager to emphasize there was no extra efficiency within the automobile after his qualifying consequence, however Hamilton says that doesn’t make him really feel higher given how far off the frontrunners each are.
“I don’t really feel it in my coronary heart,” he mentioned. “I’m attempting all the things, we’re attempting all the things. The smallest little bit of time at the moment meant I used to be out. If we’d gone out with a brand new tire I most likely would have been in Q3. After which it might simply be … perhaps I’ll be eighth or ninth with Charles.
“So it doesn’t make an enormous distinction. However the truth is we are attempting and we don’t have the tempo by far in the mean time.”
With extra rain forecast for Sunday that might open up alternatives, Hamilton says such circumstances aren’t essentially a power for Ferrari both.
“The automobile was not good within the moist this morning,” he mentioned. “I don’t know if it is going to be tomorrow, both. We’ll see. I’ll do a number of praying tonight, after all. There’s alternative for certain. If it began dry after which went moist or one thing like that, it may very well be sort of neat, however you’ve acquired to be fortunate as properly.”
