‘Just to get into Q3 is tough’ – Hamilton admits Ferrari ‘struggling big time’ after exiting Miami Qualifying in P12

Lewis Hamilton was left to rue Ferrari’s “big time” struggles after ending Qualifying for the Miami Grand Prix in P12, with the seven-time World Champion admitting that progressing into Q3 is often proving “tough” at the moment.

Hamilton’s Saturday at the Miami International Autodrome began in slightly more promising style after the Briton climbed from P7 to P3 in the Sprint. However, Qualifying again proved challenging, with Hamilton unable to improve on his lap time in Q2 which resulted in him exiting in 12th place.

Given that team mate Charles Leclerc has also spoken of the squad’s pace difficulties during the weekend, Hamilton was quizzed after Qualifying on whether the Scuderia have an idea of the direction to take in order to make improvements to the SF-25.

“We’ll keep trying, we’re only six races in, but we’re struggling big time,” the 40-year-old told Sky Sports F1. “We’re trying our hardest not to make big set-up changes, but no matter what we do, it’s so inconsistent every time we go out.

P12 Hamilton says his Ferrari is ‘a bit of a mess at the moment balance-wise’

“We’ve got problems with brakes, we’ve got problems with this instability that we’re struggling with. We’re just generally not quick enough – just to get into Q3 is tough for us at the moment, and once you’re then on that backfoot it’s hard to pick up those points.”

As such, Hamilton – who in a separate interview described the Ferrari as “a bit of a mess at the moment balance-wise” – predicted that Sunday’s Miami Grand Prix could prove to be a tricky day.

HIGHLIGHTS: Watch the Qualifying action from Miami as Verstappen secures spectacular pole position

“Tomorrow’s going to be hard work, but we’ll try again tomorrow,” he conceded. “But it’s the same thing for me – I mean, I’m used to it, it is what it is and I just keep trying. [I’ll] get back in the factory next week and just keep going.”

Saturday was equally eventful for Leclerc, who suffered a crash in wet conditions on his way to the grid prior to the Sprint getting underway which ultimately left him unable to start the 100km dash.

The Monegasque returned to action for Qualifying and, while he bettered Hamilton by reaching Q3, could finish no higher than eighth.

‘It’s just not good enough’ – Leclerc demands improvement from Ferrari after P8 in Miami Qualifying

Pushed on how difficult it is to accept that the performance is not currently there in the car, Leclerc responded: “The fact is that I’m not accepting it! It’s just not good enough.

“It’s frustrating because it’s those kinds of days, there’s been quite a few races already that I feel I’m doing a really good job but when you are finishing P4, P5, P6, P7, P8, it’s just a shame. I have no satisfaction of doing a good job.

“I’m just hoping that we can turn the situation around as soon as possible, but at the moment that’s the situation we are in and there’s not much I can do.”

Having displayed better race pace during recent Grand Prix weekends – including last time out in Saudi Arabia, where he claimed a debut podium of the campaign – Leclerc was then asked if this gave him any hope for Sunday’s event in Miami.

“A little bit, but not so much either,” the 27-year-old said. “I don’t think we can expect any miracles from us tomorrow. It’s been a difficult race weekend since FP1 and it’s difficult to recover.

“I’ll give my best, I hope the race pace will be as strong as in Jeddah but it’s a very different characteristics of track here. I think that on paper it’s going to be more difficult.”