Hamilton to start top 10 in Miami GP after pointless sprint race

5th May 2024

Hamilton to start top 10 in Miami GP after pointless sprint race

Sir Lewis Hamilton made his presence felt on day two of the Miami F1 race weekend after gaining three positions on the opening lap, moving him from 12th to 9th, reports Damian Hall from Miami.

However, it did not come without controversy, as those positions were gained after a collision involving Hamilton, Alonso, Stroll, and Norris at turn 1.

As a result of the collision, Lando Norris’s McLaren was left stuck on the track, which prompted the safety car to be deployed. With cars now having to follow the safety car at a controlled pace, it potentially meant a fresh opportunity for drivers up and down the field to make a move once the race got going again. For Hamilton, now in 9th, that meant an opportunity to move himself into a points position, as in the sprint race format, only the top 8 finishing drivers gain points.

During the safety car period, the cars were led through the pits to avoid the debris left at turn one due to the collision. Once the racing got underway, Hamilton had the task ahead of him of overtaking Haas’s Kevin Magnussen in 8th position. The two battled it out over a number of laps, but due to a lack of straight-line speed, Hamilton struggled to get his Mercedes machinery past the menacing Magnussen, who did everything to hold his position.

On lap eight, Magnussen, under pressure from Hamilton and in a desperate attempt to stay ahead, cut the chicane and rejoined the track, having gained an advantage, which eventually earned him a 10-second penalty. Hamilton made another attempt at Magnussen on lap 14 but was forced to run wide to avoid contact after Magnussen braked too late to make the corner. This caused Magnussen to go straight, and Hamilton was forced to do the same to avoid any contact. With both dueling drivers momentarily off-track, Yuki Tsunoda took advantage and moved up to 9th. Hamilton now had two drivers to overtake to get back into the points. By the final lap, there was only Tsunoda to get by, and Hamilton did just that.

Despite finishing in 8th, a post-race penalty was given to Hamilton for speeding in the pit lane during the earlier safety car period. The penalty dropped Hamilton down to a disappointing 16th.

However, all was not lost for the day. In the qualifying session for the Grand Prix later today, Hamilton finished 8th, while his teammate George Russell will begin the race in 7th.

Max Verstappen once again will start the race from pole position, Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz in second and third respectively. Anticipation for the Grand Prix is at its peak. Hamilton now has a huge task ahead to salvage the weekend for both himself and the team. Miami promised to be three times as good as the two before, and it is looking set to deliver.

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