Lewis Hamilton’s Saturday at the 2025 Miami Grand Prix began with a high but ended in disappointment, as the Ferrari driver failed to progress beyond Q2 for the first time since joining the Scuderia, with Jenson Button suggesting a character change has having a negative effect on the seven time champion.
Fresh from a third-place finish in the Sprint, Hamilton looked poised to carry that momentum into qualifying. However, a scruffy second flying lap, including a costly mistake at Turn 1 on new tyres, ended his session prematurely. He will line up 12th on the grid for Sunday’s main race — his worst qualifying result of the season so far.
Hamilton’s first lap in Q2, set on used rubber, was promising, but he failed to improve when it mattered most. By contrast, teammate Charles Leclerc managed to reach Q3, though he too struggled, ending up only eighth. It leaves Ferrari with plenty to ponder heading into race day.
The missed opportunity is a blow to Hamilton, especially after showing smart race instincts in the Sprint, where an early switch to slicks helped him leap to the podium in Miami.
Button reflects on Hamilton’s evolution at Ferrari
Hamilton’s former McLaren teammate Jenson Button offered a candid analysis of how the 40-year-old’s personality shift over the years might now be holding him back.
“Lewis is a different character now than he was when we were teammates,” Button told Sky Sports. “If he was deflated, the next day he was out and on it and on super fast.”
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“Now, he’s much more of a calm personality, he’s much more of a rounded character. I think it is starting to hurt him a little bit, constantly being slower than his teammate. That’s not how Lewis Hamilton is built. He’s a winner.”
Hamilton’s maturity and emotional control have been strengths during his long career, but Button hinted that the lack of intensity in tough moments might be limiting his performance edge.
This weekend’s events reflect a larger pattern — Hamilton now trails Leclerc 5–1 in head-to-head qualifying battles. If Sprints are included, the gap extends to 7–2.
The qualifying deficit highlights not only Leclerc’s strength over one lap but also suggests Hamilton is still adjusting to life at Ferrari. The team’s overall competitiveness also plays a role, with both drivers often dealing with unpredictable grip and balance from the SF-25.
Despite the setback, Hamilton remains optimistic. In his post-session comments, he focused on the positives of the Sprint and indicated there’s more to come in Sunday’s race.
