Hamilton Reflects on Close Finish with Verstappen and Analyzes Red Bull’s Strengths
Last Sunday in Austin, Lewis Hamilton finished just 2.2 seconds behind Max Verstappen in the main race before being disqualified due to a worn plank. Despite the disqualification, Hamilton saw the race as a valuable learning experience. He expressed his intention to share his insights with his Mercedes team and discussed what he learned from observing the Red Bull car up close.
During a press conference in Mexico City, Hamilton provided more details about the strengths of the dominant Red Bull car. He highlighted that their advantage is particularly evident in high-speed situations, such as at Suzuka. Hamilton admitted that being behind the Red Bull car allowed him to witness firsthand where their car performs better.
One key strength Hamilton identified is Red Bull’s ability to get on the power earlier than most teams. He noted that their car has considerably less movement and manages rear tire degradation with ease. Hamilton drew from his own experience, acknowledging that a stable rear end makes it easier to keep tire temperatures low and extend their lifespan.
Hamilton marveled at Verstappen’s ease of driving due to the stability of the car. He jokingly remarked that Verstappen doesn’t even sweat after getting out of the car. Hamilton believed he could have beaten Verstappen in the US GP race, at least on the road with the right strategy.
Looking ahead to the remaining races, Hamilton recognized that it is difficult to predict where Mercedes has the best chance of winning. However, he acknowledged that Mercedes has made progress and hopes to be closer to Red Bull’s pace. Hamilton identified last year’s races in Mexico and Brazil as promising for Mercedes, while acknowledging that the gap may widen again in Abu Dhabi.
