Charles Leclerc's hopes of securing Ferrari's first win since Carlos Sainz triumphed at the 2024 Mexico Grand Prix unraveled dramatically at the Miami Grand Prix. Starting from third on the grid behind Max Verstappen and Kimi Antonelli, Leclerc seized the lead and held it through the opening six laps. But an early safety car reset the field, turning his race into a battle of survival.
"The first stint went very well," team principal Fred Vasseur reflected. "Then we had the safety car, which packed everybody together. It's a lot about energy management when you're in a race, but honestly, you have two phases. The first, in clean air with good pace. Then, after the safety car, everyone came back, and it became much more difficult."
From there, Leclerc's day spiraled. A failed undercut strategy, a lengthy pit stop, debris on track, and contact with the wall sent the Monegasque driver tumbling to sixth. But the bad luck didn't end there. After the race, stewards penalized Leclerc 20 seconds for repeatedly cutting the course, dropping him to eighth and elevating teammate Lewis Hamilton to sixth, with Alpine's Franco Colapinto moving up to seventh.
Leclerc was candid about the spin on the final lap that dashed his podium hopes. "I'm very disappointed with myself. The last lap mistake is obviously all on me, and it cost us P3 or P4. More likely P4, but P3 was still right there. Mistakes happen, but on the last lap like that, it's frustrating and not the level where I should be. It's been a very strong start to the season with not many mistakes. This one luckily didn't cost us too many points."
Leclerc argued he had to cut the track due to a right-hand turn issue after his suspension failed, but the penalty stood. Meanwhile, Verstappen received a five-second penalty for crossing the white line at pit exit but retained fifth place, with Hamilton 10 seconds behind. Despite the setback, Leclerc holds third in the World Drivers' Championship standings, though his points buffer over reigning champion Lando Norris has narrowed.