Hamilton doubts Haas battle is a true reflection of Mercedes pace

Lewis Hamilton and Kevin Magnussen engaged in a duel during the sprint race in Miami, and Hamilton qualified less than one-tenth ahead of Nico Hulkenberg. But Hamilton doesn't believe a battle with Haas is a true representation of the pace in the Mercedes car.

Hamilton qualified in P8 as Mercedes sit firmly behind Red Bull, Ferrari and their customers McLaren. Still, both Mercedes made it to Q3 after they both failed to escape SQ2 around 24 hours earlier. "Q3 just wasn't really great, but I'm grateful to have gotten there. But for us to be eight-tenths off is tough," Hamilton told Sky Sports.

"We're obviously fighting the Haas. I don't really know if that's the true speed of our car or whether it's the tyres. I think there is a lot in these tyres."

Where Mercedes are struggling most

"The track temperature was pretty similar all the way through, and the grip of the track felt really good. But these tyres are so sensitive, and trying to get the tyres to work and to deliver the maximum potential throughout the whole lap is something that, we struggle with," Hamilton continued.

The seven-time World Champion has not been on the podium yet in 2024. He will make a move to Ferrari for the 2025 season. Both Ferrari drivers managed to beat Sergio Perez in qualifying, and will be breathing down Max Verstappen's neck going into turn one in the Miami Grand Prix.