Lewis Hamilton reckons a 106th career win in F1 would have been “a breeze” in Las Vegas on Saturday evening, had he done a proper job in qualifying the day before.
Starting from P10 after a frustrating and error-laden Q3, Hamilton recovered strongly in the race after a superb charge up the field but ultimately had to settle for the runner-up spot behind his Mercedes teammate George Russell, who clinched the win.
Hamilton’s achievement nevertheless earned him the ‘Drive of the Day’ plaudit from F1’s fans but the seven-time world champion was kicking himself when all was said and done, convinced that launching his race from the upper tier of the grid would have allowed him to challenge Russell for the win.
After a cautious start during which he held his own, Hamilton waited five laps before moving forward and completing early overtakes on Nico Hülkenberg, Oscar Piastri, and Yuki Tsunoda, which propelled him into the top five.
On the Las Vegas Strip Circuit’s cooler, low-grip track surface, Mercedes’ silver arrow clearly excelled, allowing Hamilton to eventually bridge the gap with the frontrunners, although his charge stalled in the final phase of the race as an attentive Russell upped the pace.
"That was great," Hamilton said. "Firstly I've got to say a big congratulations to Max winning the championship, still with several races to go.
"And if I'd done my job yesterday, it would have been a breeze today. But it's okay.”
©Mercedes
Hamilton praised the team’s effort and the car’s performance, noting how his W15 felt better than ever.
“I had fun coming from the back, coming from 10th and the team did a fantastic job,” he added.
“We don't know why we were so quick this weekend, but that's the best the car's ever felt. So I'm grateful to have been a part of getting it to that point.”
Hamilton speculated that the cooler conditions in Las Vegas played a role in Mercedes’ surprising competitiveness, contrasting it with their struggles in warmer climates this season.
"Maybe the reason that we did so well is because it's cold. If we're in a hot climate, that's where we struggle the most,” he said.
"If the car drives like that in the next couple of races, then I think we'll be in a good spot to challenge the guys up front. The championship's done, so now it's just an all-out fight for the best positions possible."
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