Lewis Hamilton made his feelings clear after a frustrating Miami Grand Prix last year, stating he is "here to race" following a delayed team order that cost him valuable time. The 2026 Formula 1 season returns at the Miami Grand Prix this weekend, with Hamilton hoping for a better outcome than the chaotic 2025 event.
Last Year's Chaos in Miami
The 2025 Miami Grand Prix was marred by drama, from a scrapped F1 Academy race to tense radio exchanges between Hamilton and his Ferrari team. Heavy rainfall is forecast again this weekend, threatening further disruption.
After an unexpected early-season hiatus caused by the cancellations of the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grand Prix due to Middle East tensions, F1 is back. Teams last raced at the Japanese Grand Prix in late March, followed by a five-week break.
Last year, torrential downpours on Sunday led to the postponement of F1 Academy Race 2 after several formation laps, with drivers struggling for grip and visibility. The race was ultimately canceled, though conditions cleared enough for the main F1 race to proceed.
Hamilton's Radio Frustration
Hamilton endured a torrid afternoon, finishing eighth. A key moment involved his teammate Charles Leclerc, whom Hamilton requested to pass. Initially instructed to hold position, the team allowed Hamilton to proceed several laps later. The delay prompted Hamilton's sarcastic radio message: "We could have a tea break while you're at it."
Speaking to Sky Sports F1 after the race, Hamilton clarified: "I lost a lot of time behind Charles. In that moment, I was like, come on, let's make a concise decision quickly, let's not waste time. I'm sure people didn't like certain comments, but it was frustrating. People say worse things than what I say. It was more sarcastic than anything. I'm not frustrated now. We'll work internally and keep pushing." He added: "Let's not get emotional. We're here to race. We're not where we want to be."
Ferrari's 2025 Struggles and 2026 Hopes
Hamilton's season did not improve significantly after Miami; he failed to secure a podium finish, with only four fourth-place finishes. However, the 2026 season has started better: Hamilton finished third in China, while Leclerc achieved the same result in Australia and Japan.
Both drivers hope regulation changes during the early-season break will provide momentum. The alterations are expected to reduce the need for battery management, potentially sparking more excitement as the campaign resumes in the United States.
Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli aims to protect his lead in the standings, while Hamilton returns after a sixth-place finish in Japan.
