Full Breakdown
Hamilton to Skip Ferrari Simulator Ahead of Upcoming Canadian Grand Prix After Miami Setback
5/7/2026, 11:42:34 PM
Miami Setback and Simulator Decision
Lewis Hamilton finished seventh in the sprint and sixth in the main race at the Miami Grand Prix after a first-lap collision with Franco Colapinto damaged his Ferrari. The weekend left him fifth in the drivers’ championship, eight points behind teammate Charles Leclerc and 49 points behind leader Kimi Antonelli. Citing a poor correlation between the Ferrari simulator and on-track performance, Hamilton said he will “back away” from using the simulator before the Canadian Grand Prix.
Key Figures and Performance Data
The principal figures are Hamilton and his Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc, who leads Hamilton by eight points. Their rival Kimi Antonelli of Mercedes tops the championship, 49 points clear. Franco Colapinto’s first-lap contact caused front-wing damage that hampered Hamilton’s straight-line speed. Hamilton’s Miami results were seventh in the sprint and sixth in the Grand Prix, after qualifying sixth.
Official Statements & Responses
Hamilton said he will prioritize factory meetings in Maranello over simulator time, seeking greater clarity on the car’s behaviour. He also requested an internal review of the front-wing design, noting that “Mercedes, McLaren and Red Bull are doing something different with the front wing.” No comment from Ferrari has been reported.
Criticism & Opposition
Hamilton criticised the simulator’s inability to predict real-world performance at Miami, describing it as “not helping.” He highlighted an aerodynamic disparity, questioning whether Ferrari’s wing design contributes to the straight-line deficit. No opposing statements from other teams were cited.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I'm going to have a different approach in the next race because the way we're preparing at the moment is not helping, and so we'll see how that goes for the next race,” — Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari driver
- “Ultimately it's always correlation, but we go on it and then we get to the track and the car feels different when it gets on track.” — Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari driver
- “So we need to look into that to see whether or not there's something we can improve on," Hamilton said.” — Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari driver
- “When we went to China I had the best weekend without the sim.” — Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari driver
What’s Next: Canadian Grand Prix and Investigation
Hamilton will test a revised preparation plan at the Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal, where he holds a record seven victories, in the near term. He indicated Ferrari will investigate front-wing performance and overall aerodynamic efficiency before the race, a step that could shape the team’s development for the rest of the 2024 season.
