Martin Brundle counters Lewis Hamilton’s ‘breeze’ claim with....

Martin Brundle counters Lewis Hamilton’s ‘breeze’ claim with….read more.

Lewis Hamilton recently made headlines after his impressive second-place finish in the Las Vegas Grand Prix, bouncing back from a disappointing outing in Brazil. The race saw Mercedes secure a one-two finish, with George Russell claiming victory after starting from pole position. Russell maintained his lead for most of the race, only briefly ceding it to Hamilton during a pit stop. Ultimately, Russell crossed the finish line with a comfortable seven-second lead over his teammate.

Despite the positive outcome, Hamilton reflected on his performance and expressed that if he hadn’t made mistakes during qualifying, which left him starting in 10th position, the race could have gone differently. He stated, “If I’d done my job yesterday, it would have been a breeze today [winning]. But it’s okay, I had fun coming from the back, coming from 10th, and the team did a fantastic job.” Hamilton acknowledged the strong performance of the car, noting it felt better than ever, and he was grateful to have contributed to this progress.

However, Martin Brundle, a former F1 driver turned commentator, disagreed with Hamilton’s assertion that he would have easily won had he started at the front. In his post-race analysis for Sky F1, Brundle pointed out that Russell would have been able to increase his pace if Hamilton posed a serious challenge. He highlighted that although Hamilton had shown speed during the race, he encountered issues during qualifying that hindered his starting position. Brundle emphasized that Hamilton’s belief in an easy victory surprised Russell, who had demonstrated that he had additional speed in reserve if necessary.

Brundle praised Hamilton’s performance, noting how he skillfully maneuvered through the field to finish just seven seconds behind Russell. Hamilton’s efforts earned him the title of Driver of the Day, which helped silence some of the criticisms aimed at him regarding his performance levels this season.

As Hamilton prepares to leave Mercedes for Ferrari at the end of the season, he has only two races left with the team. His seat will be filled by rookie driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli, while Russell is set to take on a leadership role within the team. Brundle remarked that Russell’s performance in Las Vegas showcased his readiness to lead Mercedes into the future, especially after his impressive pole position and dominant race win.

Brundle expressed sympathy for Russell, who had flown under the radar during the race due to his commanding lead, which kept him out of the spotlight while battles raged behind him. This victory was Russell’s third in Formula 1, further solidifying his position within the sport.

Mercedes seemed to have an edge throughout the event, leading every session and showcasing a car that performed exceptionally well on the cold slick surface of the Las Vegas track. The team admitted they were uncertain about the reasons behind their strong performance, a testament to the unpredictability of their car throughout the season.

In summary, while Hamilton’s comeback was commendable and showcased his talent, Brundle’s analysis highlighted the competitive nature of the race and Russell’s ability to respond to challenges. As the season heads toward its conclusion, both drivers are poised for significant changes, with Hamilton transitioning to Ferrari and Russell stepping into a leadership role at Mercedes. This dynamic sets the stage for an intriguing future in Formula 1 as both drivers navigate their respective paths.