Hamilton praises strategy gamble following Miami Sprint podium
Although Lewis Hamilton did not look comfortable on Pirelli's intermediate tyres, he took huge risks by pitting early for slick tyres which saw the Ferrari driver fly through the pack to take third place in the Miami F1 Sprint.
McLaren driver Lando Norris grabbed victory in the Miami F1 Sprint, heading a one-two for the Woking-based outfit while Ferrari's seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton grabbed third spot thanks to a strategy masterstroke.
McLaren's British driver looked quick on his last laps on the intermediate tyres, but he pitted later than his rivals. He could have fallen behind Hamilton after his stop, but a perfectly-timed safety car saw him record his first sprint victory of the season.
"My luck in Miami seems pretty good at the minute, so I'm happy. The pace was still very good but it's so difficult these races. Do you box early like Lewis, or stay out and hope for a Safety Car.
"I'd rather this happened tomorrow but I'll take it. It's tricky, there are a lot of quick guys out there and I'm ready to go again. I'm excited," concluded Norris.
His team-mate Oscar Piastri took over the lead at the start to lead the majority of the sprint race, but the safety car intervention saw him drop behind Norris.
"I feel like I did pretty much everything right there, so a bit disappointed to come away with second. But that's how it goes, racing can be a cruel business. Happy with what I did.
"It would be nice if the weather could make up its mind, but we have a quick car underneath us," said the Australian.
Hamilton started the 18-lap sprint from P6 on the grid, and became the only driver to represent Ferrari after his team-mate Charles Leclerc crashed into the walls on his first sighting lap.
The Briton struggled for pace on the intermediate tyres, but pitted exactly at the perfect time, and jumped up to third place to record his second podium finish with the Scuderia.
"It's been a tough year so far, I never thought it would rain in Miami. What a race it provided us. I really, really did struggle on the inters. I made that call at the end as I was going nowhere. Take the risk, take the gamble and it paid off."
