Lewis Hamilton admits he’s ‘struggling big time’ at Ferrari after yet more qualifying woe in Miami as he fails to reach Q3
Lewis Hamilton has acknowledged that he is ‘struggling big time’ at Ferrari after another disappointing session saw him qualify 12th for the Miami Grand Prix.
The seven-time world champion chased his dream in the off-season as he swapped Mercedes for Ferrari, aiming to win an eighth world championship and move clear of Michael Schumacher with the most titles of all time.
But, despite a sprint race win in China, the 40-year-old has found it hard going in red so far, being out-qualified by team-mate Charles Leclerc on all but one occasion and finishing behind him in all four races they have finished together.
In Miami, Hamilton was booted out of Q2 in qualifying as Leclerc breezed through to the final session, with the Monaco-born man on the second row in third, behind Max Verstappen and Lando Norris.
Hamilton has held onto hope with his new side, suggesting he is not yet used to a car that isn’t set up for him, but he continues to struggle and is now outside the top 10 for Sunday’s race.
Speaking to Sky Sports after qualifying, a downbeat Brit opened up on his struggles, but vowed to keep working to put things right.
Lewis Hamilton has admitted he is ‘struggling big time’ at Ferrari ahead of the Miami Grand Prix
The seven-time world champion could only qualify 12th for the race – another disappointing return this season
Team-mate Charles Leclerc, meanwhile, is third and has outdriven the Brit so far this year
‘We will keep trying,’ Hamilton said. ‘We are only six races in but we are struggling big time.
‘We are 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.
‘We have problems with brakes, problems with this instability that we are struggling with and we are generally not quick enough. Just to get through to Q3 is tough for us.
‘Once you are on the backfoot, it’s hard to pick up the points. Tomorrow will be hard work but we will try again. It’s the same thing for me, I’m used to it but I will keep trying.
‘And I will be back at the factory next week and just keep going.’
Hamilton has appeared to lack confidence over the last few weeks, but has appeared to keep faith in the fact that the car will soon improve despite a solution being far away.
‘I really don’t know,’ he said of finding a cure in the week. ‘We are working hard to shorten the process. But it could take longer, who knows?’
