Formula 1 returns with the Miami GP after a five-week break, but Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc do not see significant gains in Ferrari’s recent work. The two drivers dismissed any meaningful learning from the filming day held by the team in Monza.
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The race-free period opened space for important updates to the car, with Ferrari bringing novelties, including a new wing, to the event in the United States. The team principal himself, Fred Vasseur, even suggested that Miami could mark the start of a “new championship,” with possible changes in the grid hierarchy.
Despite this, both Hamilton and Leclerc were straightforward when talking about the track day. “It was a filming day, so basically we were filming all day,” Leclerc said. Hamilton followed the same line: “I didn’t learn anything in Monza because it was a filming day.”
On the other hand, the seven-time world champion had additional preparation that could make a difference. He participated in two days of testing with Pirelli rain tires in Fiorano, which could help if the forecast for unstable conditions is confirmed for Sunday’s race. “I hope that puts me in a good position if it rains,” he said.
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Hamilton also explained that the break was important to understand the problems faced in Japan, where he finished well behind the leader and his teammate. “I realized I was lacking power. We did a deep analysis and saw that it wasn’t the engine, but a set of systems that made me lose eight to nine tenths on the straights,” he revealed.
According to the Briton, the team has already managed to solve the issue with work in the simulator and at the factory. “I have been with the team every week, training a lot, and I feel renewed for this weekend,” he concluded.
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