Seven-time Formula 1 World Champion Lewis Hamilton faced a major setback at the 2024 United States Grand Prix. In a surprising turn of events, Hamilton spun out on the 19th corner during the third lap, causing him to retire from the race. Despite starting from 17th position and climbing five places, the experienced driver lost control and was forced to leave the race early.
Hamilton’s Remarks: An Unexpected Issue
Speaking after the race, Hamilton expressed his surprise at the incident: “I wasn’t even pushing hard at that moment, but the car suddenly began to bounce. The left wheel lifted off, and then I lost the rear of the car.” This unexpected slip led to his early exit from the competition. Hamilton emphasized that the incident was due to the car’s unexpected reaction rather than a driver error.
Team Updates and Russell’s Different Experience
Hamilton pointed out that his teammate George Russell had faced a similar problem, noting that the update package they had been working on didn’t deliver the expected results: “The same thing happened to George yesterday, even with this update package we worked so hard on. Luckily, today he’s doing well using the older package.” With this statement, Hamilton highlighted the challenges the team faced with the vehicle’s development.
Apology and Determination from Hamilton
Apologizing to the entire team, Hamilton said, “I don’t think I’ve ever spun out in a race before. It wasn’t a lack of focus; the car’s unexpected bounce really caught me off guard. I’m devastated, but we’ll keep moving forward.” Despite the setback, Hamilton conveyed his commitment to continue competing with determination.