BREAKING: Mercedes duo Hamilton and Russell spin out of control

Mercedes Struggles as Hamilton and Russell Face Difficulties at US GP; FIA Issues Summons

The Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula 1 team has encountered significant setbacks during the United States Grand Prix weekend in Austin, with both drivers, Lewis Hamilton and George Russell, struggling to maintain control of their cars. Their issues at Circuit of the Americas (COTA) raised concerns ahead of the race, particularly as the team faces pressure to close the points gap in the constructors’ standings.

Unstable Cars at COTA

During practice, Hamilton, a seven-time world champion, spun his W15 car at the high-speed Turn 4. Although he avoided the barriers, the incident sparked instant concern. Over the team radio, Hamilton immediately relayed his worries, stating, “When I come in, you have to check those damn tyres. And check the floor.” This response indicated that the Briton believed there might be an underlying issue with the car setup or its tires, rather than it being just a driving error.

Shortly after Hamilton’s near miss, Russell encountered his own challenges. The young British driver also struggled at Turn 4, describing his wobble at the same corner as “weird” to his race engineer, Marcus Dudley. Russell’s frustrations didn’t stop there, as he later spun out at Turn 1, briefly triggering a yellow flag as his car rolled backward down the hill before he managed to resume his session.

Commentators and fans alike noticed the extent of Mercedes’ struggles. Sky Sports F1’s Martin Brundle described Russell’s incident at Turn 1 as “a lazy slide,” suggesting that while the error didn’t result in a crash, it was indicative of the team’s broader issues with car control at the circuit.

FIA Summons the Mercedes Duo

As the weekend continued, the FIA summoned both Hamilton and Russell over these incidents, putting further pressure on the Mercedes team. While details of the FIA’s summons were not immediately clear, it adds another layer of difficulty to an already challenging weekend for the Silver Arrows.

Mercedes currently sits fourth in the constructors’ championship, trailing Ferrari by 112 points. With only six races left in the 2024 season, every point is critical for the team to maintain or improve their position. Hamilton and Russell are undoubtedly aiming to secure as many points as possible in Austin, but the early struggles at COTA have cast a shadow over their hopes for a strong finish to the season.

Aiming for Redemption at COTA

COTA is a venue where Hamilton has historically excelled. The British driver holds the record for the most victories at the track, with five wins to his name. As such, there is optimism that Hamilton can regain control and deliver another strong performance in Texas. However, the team’s difficulties in practice suggest that Mercedes’ W15 car may be particularly tricky to handle at this circuit, potentially hampering both drivers’ chances.

Russell, who is in his second season with Mercedes, also has a lot at stake. While he has shown flashes of brilliance throughout the year, consistency has been an issue, and any further mistakes this weekend could prove costly as the season draws to a close.

Mercedes’ Championship Battle

While Red Bull Racing continues to dominate both the drivers’ and constructors’ championships, the battle for second and third remains fierce. Mercedes has found itself in an unusually challenging position this year, particularly compared to their dominance in previous seasons. A strong result in Austin could help close the gap to Ferrari, but the early signs are not promising.

Despite their struggles, both Hamilton and Russell remain determined to deliver for the team. With so much on the line, the Mercedes duo will be looking to put their practice woes behind them and fight for crucial points in the United States Grand Prix. The pressure is on, and the team’s ability to resolve the apparent handling issues will likely determine their success this weekend.

As the race weekend progresses, all eyes will be on Mercedes to see if they can turn their fortunes around and capitalize on Hamilton’s previous success at COTA.