Hamilton’s Disappointing Las Vegas Grand Prix Reflects Troubled Season
Las Vegas, NV — Lewis Hamilton endured a challenging outing in the Las Vegas Grand Prix, labeling his first season with Ferrari as “the worst season ever.” The British driver faced difficulties throughout the weekend, culminating in a lackluster qualifying session in rainy conditions where he was eliminated in 20th place. Following Yuki Tsunoda’s grid penalty, Hamilton started the race from 19th position.
Despite a commendable initial lap, Hamilton finished in 10th place but was later elevated to 8th after McLaren’s disqualifications. The driver expressed his frustration post-race, stating, “It’s been the worst season ever. No matter how much I try it keeps getting worse.”
Hamilton’s race was marred by damage incurred during contact with Alex Albon, which compromised his pace. He remarked, “I was catching [Nico] Hulkenberg, but at the slowest pace. I think I got some damage with the Williams, and then everything changed after that.” He further detailed his struggles, noting issues with braking and balance, calling the experience “a horrendous weekend.”
Ferrari’s overall performance has been inconsistent, a concern acknowledged by team principal Fred Vasseur. He emphasized that while recent results have been disappointing, particularly following races in Brazil and Las Vegas, Hamilton demonstrated competitive pace during earlier venues in Mexico and Austin. Vasseur stated, “In terms of pure performance, I think he’s aware we are not in such a bad shape.”
With two races remaining in the season, he remains optimistic about Hamilton’s potential to improve, hinting at a renewed focus in the coming events. “He will be back,” Vasseur said, underlining the need to refine their strategy.
Hamilton’s frustrations highlight the ongoing challenges faced by both him and the Ferrari team as they aim to turn around a dreary season before its conclusion.
