Lewis Hamilton expressed disappointment over missing out on pole position for the United States Grand Prix sprint race, attributing the setback to a yellow flag incident caused by Franco Colapinto's spin at Turn 12. During the crucial qualifying session, Hamilton had been on a fast lap, showing considerable promise as he was up by four-tenths in the first sector. However, just as he was poised to improve his time, the yellow flag came out, forcing him to lift off the throttle in the second sector.
Hamilton’s telemetry revealed that he lifted much earlier than his teammate George Russell, who ultimately qualified second on the grid. The disruption from the yellow flag significantly impacted Hamilton's lap time, swinging the momentum by nearly eight-tenths of a second. Despite running wide in an attempt to compensate for the lift, Hamilton’s chances of securing pole slipped away.
Reflecting on the situation, Hamilton remarked, “I just got unlucky with the yellow flag. I was four tenths up, but it is what it is.” He acknowledged that while the missed opportunity stung, he was grateful for the strides Mercedes had made with their car setup. "The good thing is the team has made a step with the car; the upgrade has clearly worked, and I'm really grateful to everyone back at the factory for all the hard work over this period of time."
Both Hamilton and Russell experienced challenges during free practice, as their W15 cars struggled to cope with the bumpy Circuit of the Americas. However, following adjustments made between practice and qualifying, Hamilton noted a significant improvement in the car's performance. “It was like night and day different,” he said, commending his team for their efforts in making the necessary changes.
Hamilton’s positive attitude about the team's progress and the car's enhanced handling showcases his resilience and optimism as he looks to capitalize on their upgrades throughout the weekend. As the sprint race approaches, Hamilton remains focused on leveraging the improvements to achieve better results on the track.
