SIR Lewis Hamilton has proven once again that he's a master of recovery, producing a spectacular drive from 10th on the grid to finish in second place at the Las Vegas Grand Prix.
The remarkable performance earned him the title of Driver of the Day, as he demonstrated why he's still one of the most formidable drivers in Formula 1.
Despite a challenging qualifying session that saw him languish down the order after mistakes on both of his flying laps in Q3, Hamilton’s race pace was exceptional. As his Mercedes teammate, George Russell, controlled the race from pole position, Hamilton worked his way through the field, eventually securing second place after the final round of pit stops.
“I had a great time, when you’re progressing it’s always a great feeling,” Hamilton said after the race. “It felt very much like my old days [karting] at Rye House, starting at the back and coming through – so it was great.”
The result marked Hamilton’s fifth podium of the 2024 season and was a testament to his skill, adaptability, and relentless determination. Reflecting on his comeback, Hamilton admitted that had he qualified better, he could have been in contention for the win. “It is slightly bittersweet as if we had qualified where we should have yesterday, I think I could have won. Nevertheless, I didn't think I would have been able to finish P2 today before the race so I'm very happy,” he said.
Hamilton’s performance was a highlight for Mercedes, who secured a 1-2 finish with Russell taking the victory. The race was a bright spot in what has been a mixed season for the team, which has experienced both triumphs and struggles. When asked whether Mercedes could maintain this form for the remainder of the season, Hamilton was cautious, acknowledging the unpredictability of the team's performance.
“I have no idea! I don’t think anyone in the team knows why we’re as quick as we are this weekend, we’re happy about it, but I think often in the hotter conditions we struggle more,” he said. “Maybe Qatar will be cooler and it’s smooth, at the track we were okay last year, Abu Dhabi maybe less so, but we’ll see.”
Taking to Instagram after the race, Hamilton shared his gratitude for the team effort that made the 1-2 result possible: “Always a good time fighting up the grid. Well done to George for the win and the team for all the work to get us to a 1-2. Definitely didn’t expect the result, and it’s a testament to how much time, effort and teamwork goes into this. 2 races left, let’s keep this momentum and end on a high.”
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