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 high three end within the Dash.
Each Ferrari drivers certified within the high seven for the Dash however Charles Leclerc crashed on the way in which to the grid in moist situations, whereas Hamilton was struggling earlier than a well-timed early pit cease for slick tires helped him salvage a powerful third place. Qualifying within the dry on Saturday afternoon was a unique 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. “An excellent, respectable outcome, but it surely wasn’t pure tempo, it was a superb 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 ensure we took the appropriate steps via the day, and it didn’t make any distinction.
“Simply suppose 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 staff are doing an incredible job, however pure tempo, that’s the place we’re.
“Charles was lucky to get via [to Q3] with … I believe he had a brand new tire, in order that simply bought him via. 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 want some upgrades, we’d like some enhancements. We’ve bought plenty of issues that have to be higher.”
Teammate Leclerc was additionally eager to emphasize there was no extra efficiency within the automobile after his qualifying outcome, 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 the whole lot, we’re attempting the whole lot. The smallest little bit of time at this time 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 reality is we are attempting and we don’t have the tempo by far for the time being.”
With extra rain forecast for Sunday that might open up alternatives, Hamilton says such situations 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 lots of praying tonight, in fact. There’s alternative for certain. If it began dry after which went moist or one thing like that, it may very well be form of neat, however you’ve bought to be fortunate as nicely.”
