George Russell just explained exactly why Lewis Hamilton is struggling in Ferrari qualifying sessions

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George Russell discovered the same problem that’s been haunting Lewis Hamilton at the Miami Grand Prix last weekend. For the first time this season, he was outqualified by Mercedes teammate Kimi Antonelli.

Russell was beaten by Antonelli not once but twice. First, the teenager took a sensational Sprint pole on Friday, and then he secured a top-three berth for the main Grand Prix, two spots ahead of his teammate.

Senior driver Russell was able to maintain his 100% top-five record. But it was the first time all season that he reported a fundamental discomfort in the car.

Meanwhile, former Mercedes partner Hamilton continued to struggle over a single lap. He was seventh for the Sprint – a reasonable effort and only one place behind Charles Leclerc – but suffered a Q2 exit in the Saturday session.

Hamilton now trails Leclerc 5-1 in the qualy head-to-head. It’s a morale-sapping continuation of what he experienced alongside Russell in 2024.

George Russell on the importance of ‘confidence’ in qualifying – it applies to Lewis Hamilton

Speaking to Sky Sports after Miami Grand Prix qualifying, Russell offered a simple explanation for his struggles.

“Qualifying is all about confidence,” the five-time F1 pole-sitter said.

While this was an introspective comment, it applies perfectly to Hamilton right now. He lacks that confidence – both in himself and in his car.

Hamilton said at the end of the year that he wasn’t ‘fast anymore’, and he’s continued to make those defeatist statements at Ferrari. But perhaps more importantly, he’s yet to establish trust in the SF-25.

Damon Hill says Hamilton needs to change his braking style at Ferrari. Still adjusting to the unfamiliar Brembo anchors, he locked up twice at key moments in qualifying.

Hamilton admitted to Sky that he was ‘struggling big time’ after he ended up 12th. He says the car is ‘so inconsistent’, no matter what set-up he uses.

As a result, he simply doesn’t know what to expect when he enters a corner. That inevitably leads to anxiety behind the wheel.

Lewis Hamilton’s unwanted piece of history for Ferrari at the Miami Grand Prix

In Hamilton’s defence, Leclerc sounded bemused by his Ferrari last weekend too. It was their poorest showing since the season opener in Australia, which paints an alarming picture of their Ferrari.

Leclerc previously said he’d found a driving style that counters the car’s fundamental problems. But even that didn’t work in Florida.

Hamilton has failed to score a podium in four visits to the Miami GP, a career first. While he’s finished in the top three twice in the Sprints, he’s still waiting to spray the champagne for the first time in Ferrari colours.