HALF A SECOND OF DAMAGE FOR HAMILTON IN MIAMI
Lewis Hamilton reportedly lost around half a second per lap after suffering damage during the opening lap of the Miami Grand Prix. The contact with Franco Colapinto caused an estimated loss of 20 points of downforce, leaving the seven-time world champion struggling with the balance of his Ferrari SF-26 for the rest of the race.
The damage seriously affected the car’s aerodynamic performance, making Hamilton’s race extremely difficult from the very beginning. With less rear stability and reduced overall grip, the Ferrari driver was unable to fight at the pace he originally expected.
After the race, Ferrari team boss Fred Vasseur explained that Hamilton also had to manage engine temperatures throughout the Grand Prix. Because of the overheating concerns, the British driver was forced to preserve the power unit during the race, further limiting his performance.
The combination of aerodynamic damage and engine management turned the Miami Grand Prix into a frustrating afternoon for Hamilton. What started as a difficult first lap quickly became a long and complicated race for the Ferrari driver.
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