Hamilton Heartbroken After Shock Retirement from… “Onwards and

Hamilton Heartbroken After Shock Retirement from… “Onwards and…read more

Lewis Hamilton encountered a significant setback at the United States Grand Prix, retiring early from the race and hindering his hopes for a late-season resurgence. In a stunning display, Charles Leclerc led Ferrari to a remarkable one-two finish, securing first place, while his teammate Carlos Sainz took second. Max Verstappen, who finished third, extended his championship lead over Lando Norris to 57 points. Although Norris initially celebrated a podium position, a five-second penalty after a fierce contest with Verstappen relegated him to fourth.

Hamilton’s race ended dramatically just two laps in. Starting from 17th on the grid, he quickly advanced to 12th place, but his momentum faltered when he lost control of his car and skidded into the gravel. This incident was particularly disappointing for the 39-year-old driver, who had enjoyed a strong start to the season with two victories but has struggled since the mid-season break. Over the last five races, he has only managed to accumulate 27 points, leaving him with limited opportunities to enhance his record achievements with Mercedes. Next season, Hamilton will be joining Ferrari, aiming for a fresh start in his quest for an elusive eighth world title.

In a post-race interview with Sky Sports F1, Hamilton expressed his astonishment at the abrupt failure of his car. He apologized to his team, noting that the car’s erratic behavior was completely unforeseen. “I mean, that’s never happened before; a first time for everything, I guess,” he remarked. He added, “I wasn’t even really pushing, and then suddenly the car started bouncing.” His race engineer, Bono, highlighted that a strong 40km/h tailwind, combined with the unexpected bouncing, contributed to the loss of grip.

This incident mirrored a similar problem encountered by Hamilton’s teammate, George Russell, during practice with Mercedes’ updated car package. To avoid a comparable fate, Russell opted to revert to an older car package for the Grand Prix. Hamilton voiced his frustration over the lost opportunity and acknowledged the need for the team to learn from this experience. “It’s so upsetting, and I’m so sorry to all the team back at the factory,” he expressed.

The race showcased Ferrari’s dominance, marking a significant turnaround in their performance this season. Leclerc’s win was his first of the year, and Sainz’s strong finish demonstrated the team’s competitive edge as they aim to challenge Red Bull and Mercedes for supremacy in the future. For Verstappen, the third-place finish reinforced his status as the championship frontrunner, further solidifying his position ahead of the remaining races.

As the season progresses, Hamilton’s retirement at the United States Grand Prix serves as a stark reminder of the unpredictability of Formula 1. While his current campaign has faced numerous challenges, the upcoming switch to Ferrari represents a new chapter in his illustrious career. The team will look to leverage their lessons learned from this race and previous events to improve their performance in the future.

As Hamilton reflects on this disappointing outcome, he remains hopeful about the future. With the season drawing to a close, he is determined to finish strong, even as he prepares for the next phase of his career with Ferrari. The combination of newfound motivation and the insights gained from recent races could set the stage for a resurgence as he aims for that coveted eighth title.