Hamilton says Ferrari simulator ‘sends me in the wrong direction’

Lewis Hamilton has raised fresh concerns about Ferrari’s simulator tools, suggesting they are actively hindering his performance by pointing him toward ineffective set-up directions at the start of race weekends.

The seven-time world champion delivered a candid assessment after a difficult Saturday at the Miami Grand Prix, where incremental gains masked what he believes is a deeper underlying issue with preparation.

The seven-time world champion noted a contrast between Ferrari’s initial set-up – shaped in part by simulator work – and the improved performance unlocked only after significant trackside changes.

Having finished a disappointing seventh in the Sprint, Hamilton and his engineers made a series of adjustments ahead of qualifying, lifting him to sixth on the grid.

While it marked progress, the Briton made clear that the late turnaround only highlighted what had been lost earlier in the weekend.

“It was an improvement,” he said when asked about his qualifying session.

“We made lots of changes to the car, we didn't have software issues. So I think we progressed, we stepped forward. I think Q2 was feeling really solid, and then when I got to Q3 I just wasn't able to extract the maximum."

Simulator under scrutiny

Despite the step forward, Hamilton was far from satisfied with the end result.

“I don't feel comfortable in P6, that's not where I want to be,” he added.

“So quite unhappy with P6, naturally, but I'm happy that we made changes going to qualifying and we progressed. We did improve. I think top three was probably possible, so I just got to work on it.”

But it was his next remarks that cut to the core of the issue – suggesting Ferrari’s simulator may be leading him astray before he even reaches the circuit.

“If I could start with what I had today, yesterday, and had that practice of driving the car as it was today, because it was miles different from the sprint, and from yesterday. So I really need to deep on that.

“And if I'm honest, I think the simulator really sends me in the wrong direction. So I think I might cut that out now.”

Upgrades questioned as rivals surge

Ferrari arrived in Miami with one of the most extensive upgrade packages on the grid, but Hamilton hinted that the gains have not matched those of key rivals.

“The team worked incredibly hard to bring those components,” he said. “And it's a step, but the others have also taken a step.

"I heard McLaren brought a step, but it was worth much more than they anticipated. That's not how we've experienced ours.”

Hamilton also pointed to potential conceptual differences – particularly around front wing design –between Ferrari and its competitors such as Mercedes, McLaren and Red Bull Racing.

“They're doing something different – Mercedes and McLaren and Red Bull are something different with their front wing to us. So we need to look into that to see whether or not there's something we can improve on.”

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Pressed on the specifics, Hamilton pointed to a broader design philosophy gap.

“Concept. If you just look at everyone else's wing and look at ours, you'll see it looks different,” he said.

“I don't know if that's necessarily the whole thing, but I wonder what that's doing, because the others seem to have it, and they've improved something."

Hope remains for race day

Beyond his comments, Hamilton remains cautiously optimistic heading into Sunday’s race, particularly with wet conditions forecast that could shake up the order.

“I'm expecting tomorrow the car to feel a lot better, but it's going to be wet. I'm confident with the balance that I have today, and in the wet, hopefully we should be in a good place,” he concluded.

Even so, his pointed remarks about Ferrari’s simulator underline a growing concern: that the team’s tools may be costing valuable time before a wheel has even turned in anger.

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