Sixth and seventh place for Ferrari within the first qualifying session of the Miami Grand Prix weekend, the sixth spherical of the 2025 Components 1 championship. Yet one more clearly underwhelming lead to Components 1. However Ferrari couldn’t do rather more on Friday, as the bottom setup was not optimum and even the changes made in the course of the first free apply session didn’t get rid of the boundaries of the Italian automobile. So as soon as once more, it was about recovering floor within the 100 kilometers the place making up positions on these forward may very well be simpler because of the rain.
The primary main information is Charles Leclerc’s crash within the laps main as much as the beginning grid. The Monegasque driver sadly loses the SF-25 automobile beneath braking and crashes into the limitations. The automobile is simply too broken and, contemplating the little time out there, Charles Leclerc is compelled to observe the Dash Race from the pit wall. Blue-striped Pirelli tyres are fitted to the one Ferrari left within the Miami Dash race.
These are the intense moist tyres, used because of the heavy downpour that hit the American observe. All the required directions are given by his race engineer Riccardo Adami, with a view to advise on the conduct to undertake, particularly within the first laps. In these circumstances, with a slippery floor, you begin in second gear to keep away from wheelspin as a lot as attainable.
Nonetheless, Race Course determined to run two laps behind the Security Automobile earlier than figuring out what to do. Within the meantime, the British driver complains about poor visibility, a situation by which his race engineer reminds him to work on the tyres. On the finish of the 2 laps, the pink flag is proven. The stewards have determined to halt the race in the intervening time, as there may be an excessive amount of water on the observe. Everybody returns to the pit lane.
About 20 minutes later, the seven-time Components 1 world champion will get again into the Ferrari. Apparently, the rain has stopped. Lewis Hamilton and Riccardo Adami speak over the radio to finest handle the automobile. They focus on brake steadiness and differential mid-corner. It’s important to deal with the altering circumstances to keep away from damaging lock-ups and hold the automobile rotating. Once more, two extra laps are accomplished behind the Security Automobile to evaluate how the race ought to resume.
Standing begin: that is the choice from Race Course. Lewis Hamilton maintains his beginning place and doesn’t try any assaults on his rivals. Behind him, it’s Alex Albon who turns into fairly threatening, forcing the Briton to repeatedly examine his mirrors to keep away from leaving any area for his Thai-British compatriot.
Tyre activation at that second is something however straightforward, particularly for a Ferrari that tends to place much less power into the tyres. Lewis Hamilton instantly complains about poor rotation, unable to hold the specified velocity by means of the center of corners. Traction can also be problematic attributable to a rear axle nonetheless outdoors the goal temperature vary—too chilly.
It should be stated that on the extra technical sections of the observe, automobile quantity 44 is visibly struggling. In the meantime, the sky clears and rays of solar start to heat the observe floor. The tyres, now overheating, are reported by Lewis Hamilton, who’s instructed to maneuver off the racing line on the straights to assist cool them down.
The tyre disaster turns into clear simply previous the midway mark of the race. Overheating is going on on the rear axle, whereas the entrance stays chilly. Driving the automobile in these circumstances turns into actually troublesome. At that time, Ferrari takes a danger by pitting early to suit dry tyres. Mediums had been recommended by the pit wall, however Lewis Hamilton opts as a substitute for Softs.
As soon as again on observe, the British driver finds himself in fifteenth place with solely 5 laps to go. Nonetheless, the decision to the pits seems to be glorious, permitting for a incredible tempo. The additional grip provided by the Softs is totally exploited by Lewis Hamilton, who pushes extraordinarily onerous and is rewarded with a robust comeback over only a few laps together with his SF-25.
With three laps to go, the Briton is even as much as third place. Shortly after, nevertheless, a Security Automobile intervention attributable to Fernando Alonso’s retirement ends the Briton’s cost. In apply, the 100-kilometer mini race ends there. Large applause is due for Ferrari’s very good technique, and it’s price highlighting once more how Lewis Hamilton selected the Softs, rejecting the Mediums that will not have given him the identical efficiency benefit.
— see video above —