The team used the five-week break since the Japanese Grand Prix to bring a substantial set of changes to Miami, rolling out 11 new upgrades for the SF-26. No other team made as many adjustments, with Ferrari aiming to improve both downforce and straight-line efficiency.

Ferrari’s update package in Miami included a new front wing, floor, rear wing, suspension tweaks, and changes to the exhaust tail flap. Leclerc seemed comfortable straight away, setting the fastest time in practice before qualifying fourth for the Sprint.

Hamilton didn’t find it quite as easy. He finished fourth in FP1 and then qualified seventh for the Sprint. The seven-time champion was 0.379 seconds slower than Leclerc in SQ3 and 0.749 seconds off pole position.

Ferrari to review Leclerc’s data to understand Hamilton’s struggles in Miami

Hamilton had high hopes for Ferrari’s new upgrades going into the Miami GP. He’d spent plenty of time at Maranello during the break, working closely with the team on the SF-26. Both he and Leclerc also had a chance to put the new parts through their paces during a filming day at Monza in April.

According to FormulaTecnica, Ferrari are now looking into whether there are any clear reasons behind his issues with grip and battery management. The team still believe he can turn things around come race day.

“To be honest I didn’t feel as comfortable as I would have hoped,” Hamilton said after qualifying P7 for the Sprint. “I did not feel great with my feeling of balance, so this is something we need to work on for tomorrow.”

“There is definitely some work ahead of us and we need time and data to get more out of our package,” Vasseur explained after qualifying on Friday. “We will work hard overnight because we want more.”

The Briton again set his best effort late in SQ3 while Leclerc settled for P4 without even improving during his second run on Friday. So, Mercedes’ Andrea Kimi Antonelli also had time over Leclerc, as did Oscar Piastri at McLaren.