Lewis Hamilton’s hopes for a strong showing at the Las Vegas Grand Prix took a significant hit after he qualified a disappointing 10th. This comes despite Mercedes showcasing their best form since August’s summer break, dominating both Friday practice sessions and even topping Q2. The stark contrast between Mercedes’ strong performance in the earlier qualifying sessions and Hamilton’s final result highlights a perplexing twist in the race for the pole position.
The cold Vegas conditions seemed to suit the Silver Arrows, allowing Hamilton to demonstrate impressive speed. However, Q3 proved to be a different story. On his crucial first run, Hamilton locked up in the middle sector. Then, a moment of oversteer at Turn Three sent him wide, resulting in a deleted lap time due to a track limits infringement. Even without this error, Hamilton admits his pace wouldn’t have been enough to improve his position significantly – remaining a frustrating 10th.
Meanwhile, his teammate, George Russell, brilliantly secured pole position, beating Carlos Sainz to the top spot. This left Hamilton visibly frustrated but pragmatic. “I should have been on pole, but I’m not, so it is what it is,” Hamilton stated to Sky Sports, adding the classic, “C’est la vie, you live to fight another day.” He further expressed his congratulations to Russell, demonstrating a spirit of sportsmanship amidst his personal setback. He was positive about the race ahead stating that the weekend had been good so far and he would give it his best shot on Sunday.
Hamilton’s struggles in qualifying have been a recurring theme this season, with a significant deficit against Russell in their head-to-head qualifying battles (17-5 in Russell’s favor). He attributed his Q3 performance issues to a noticeable change in his car’s handling compared to earlier sessions. “The car felt different in Q3; the stability wasn’t there for some reason. But I had it in all the other sessions,” Hamilton explained to reporters. “Ultimately, I didn’t put the laps together.” This underscores the challenge faced by the Mercedes team in ensuring consistent car performance across all qualifying stages.
Adding to the intrigue, Hamilton recently hinted at a possible early departure from Mercedes following a difficult weekend at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix. His comments on team radio and to Sky Sports suggested dissatisfaction and a potential desire for a break. Despite this backdrop, and the substantial challenge of starting the Las Vegas Grand Prix from 10th position, Hamilton maintains a positive outlook, focusing on the opportunities presented by the race. He acknowledged the crucial role of tire degradation and referred to the eventful race they had experienced at this circuit last year. The Las Vegas GP will commence at 6am on Sunday, and will be broadcast live on Sky Sports F1 and Sky Sports Main Event.
The resurgence of Mercedes’ pace, particularly in cooler or wet conditions, provides a fascinating subplot. After a period of relative underperformance, Mercedes secured wins in Austria, Britain, and Belgium before their form dipped, trailing behind McLaren, Ferrari, and Red Bull. Russell’s strong performance in the rain-soaked Sao Paulo Grand Prix further reinforces the correlation between the Silver Arrows’ competitiveness and challenging weather. Team principal Toto Wolff humorously summed up the situation, saying, “We just need winter times! We need Silverstone and Spa in the rain and cold, then Las Vegas at midnight. Our car comes alive when there’s a lack of grip and it’s cold.” This highlights the need for the team to understand and adapt to varying track conditions effectively.
The final three races of the F1 season are available to stream on NOW Sports Month Membership. Fans can anticipate another nail-biting finish, with Max Verstappen having a chance to clinch the championship title in Las Vegas. Don’t miss the action!
