UK NEWS – Lewis Hamilton’s challenging weekend at the United States Grand Prix ended in frustration after he crashed out just two laps into the race at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin. The seven-time Formula 1 champion had hoped to recover from a disastrous qualifying session that saw him start 17th on the grid, but instead, his hopes of a comeback were dashed in the gravel trap. This marked the end of a weekend that had been far from ideal for Hamilton, as a series of setbacks derailed his usual success at one of his favorite circuits.
Heading into the weekend, there was anticipation that Hamilton could perform well in Austin, where he has had multiple wins in the past. However, the promise of a strong performance started to unravel on Friday. Despite showing some speed during practice, Hamilton encountered issues during the Sprint qualifying session, placing seventh on the grid. He later admitted that a mistake on his part had cost him a shot at pole position in the Sprint race.
As if that weren’t enough, things took a turn for the worse in the main race qualifying. Hamilton suffered a shocking exit in Q1, finishing 19th overall—his worst qualifying performance on American soil and the first time he had ever been eliminated in Q1 at the U.S. Grand Prix. The result meant that Hamilton would be starting near the back of the pack for the main event, a deeply frustrating position for a driver of his caliber.
Despite these setbacks, Hamilton was determined to make up for lost ground. Known for his ability to carve through the field in difficult situations, the 39-year-old Brit was aiming for a comeback in the main race. As the lights went out, Hamilton got off to a flying start, immediately gaining several positions within the first few corners. By the second lap, he had climbed up to 12th place, showing the pace and determination that fans have come to expect from the Mercedes driver.
However, just as quickly as his progress began, disaster struck. Hamilton lost control of the rear end of his Mercedes, sending the car spinning off the track and into the gravel. While the car avoided any major collisions with the barriers, it became beached in the gravel trap. The sight of Hamilton’s spinning wheels, helplessly stuck in the gravel, was a painful reminder of how quickly fortunes can change in motorsport.
Over the team radio, Hamilton immediately took responsibility for the incident. “Sorry guys,” he said, acknowledging that his mistake had cost him the chance to salvage something from an already difficult weekend. The early exit was a bitter pill to swallow for both Hamilton and the Mercedes team, who have been working hard to close the gap to their rivals in what has been a challenging season overall.
The race itself continued without Hamilton, but not without drama. His incident brought out the safety car for the first time in 10 races, ending a streak of events without a safety car intervention—a rarity in modern Formula 1. The last time the sport saw such a run was two decades ago, highlighting just how action-packed the season has been up to this point.
At the front of the pack, Lando Norris started from pole position and was eager to keep championship leader Max Verstappen behind him. However, as the two battled for position into the first corner, the Ferrari duo behind them saw an opportunity. Charles Leclerc seized the moment, powering past both Norris and Verstappen to take the lead in the opening stages of the race.
Norris was quick to voice his displeasure over the radio, accusing Verstappen of forcing him off the track in the first corner. But despite his protests, the race stewards decided not to investigate the incident further, leaving Norris to continue his pursuit from third place. The aggressive nature of the start was typical of the high-stakes battles we’ve seen throughout the season, especially with the championship still very much on the line.
Meanwhile, further down the grid, there were additional incidents. Esteban Ocon also spun on the first lap but was able to continue without significant damage to his car. Zhou Guanyu, who had made an impressive start by climbing up to 15th from his starting position, lost control a few laps later and found himself slipping to the back of the field.
For Hamilton, the United States Grand Prix will be one to forget. Not only did it mark the end of a difficult weekend in Austin, but it also added to the growing frustration he has faced throughout the 2024 season. Mercedes has struggled to consistently challenge Red Bull and Ferrari this year, and while Hamilton has still shown flashes of brilliance, it has been a far cry from the dominant form that led him to seven world titles.
The Circuit of the Americas has historically been one of Hamilton’s strongest tracks. He has won multiple races there and often delivered standout performances that showcased his skill and tenacity. This year, however, the combination of errors and misfortune left him with nothing to show for his efforts in Austin. It was a reminder that even the greatest drivers can have off weekends, and that the margin for error in Formula 1 is incredibly slim.
Looking ahead, Hamilton will need to regroup and refocus as the F1 season enters its final stages. With only a few races remaining, the pressure is on for Mercedes to extract the maximum performance from their car and for Hamilton to deliver the kind of results that both he and his team are capable of achieving. While the championship may be out of reach this year, there is still pride and progress to fight for, particularly with an eye on the 2025 season.
The United States Grand Prix will undoubtedly go down as a low point in Hamilton’s 2024 campaign, but the resilience and determination that have defined his career suggest that he will bounce back. For the time being, however, the disappointment of Austin will linger as a missed opportunity in what has been a season of ups and downs.
As the Formula 1 circus moves on to the next race, fans and pundits alike will be watching to see how Hamilton responds. With his future in the sport still uncertain, every race takes on added significance for the legendary driver. Will he be able to turn things around in the remaining races of the season, or will Austin be remembered as a sign of deeper struggles for the Mercedes team? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: Lewis Hamilton is not one to give up without a fight.
