Hamilton Baffled by Last-Lap Scare in US Grand Prix

Lewis Hamilton finished fourth at the United States Grand Prix despite a dramatic last-lap incident that saw him report a potential puncture and suffer 'huge understeer.' The seven-time World Champion narrowly held off Oscar Piastri, expressing confusion over what caused the sudden drop in pace and handling issues with his car.

Why it matters:

Hamilton's fourth-place finish marked a significant milestone, making him the first F1 driver to exceed 5,000 career points. However, the unexpected last-lap struggle highlights the fine margins in F1 and the ongoing challenges teams face in maintaining optimal car performance throughout a grueling race.

The details:

• On the final lap, Hamilton radioed his team, suspecting a puncture after entering Turn 5, where he 'felt like I hit something.'
• He reported 'massive understeer' and issues with braking into Turn 11, questioning, 'Geez, what's going on?'
• Despite the severe handling problems, Hamilton managed to control his Ferrari SF-25 through the final corners, just barely staying ahead of a charging Oscar Piastri.
• Post-race, Hamilton remained unsure of the exact cause, speculating about a broken front wing or a tire issue.
• Race Performance: Hamilton finished one position behind teammate Charles Leclerc, indicating an improved race pace for Ferrari in Austin.
• He noted an overall improvement in the car's feel compared to earlier in the weekend, finding 'lots of positives to take from today.'
• Strategy Concerns: Hamilton expressed frustration over his strategy, which left him '10 seconds behind [Leclerc],' but acknowledged the 'great points for the team.'

What's next:

Hamilton remains optimistic about Ferrari's current trajectory, despite being 'so close, but still so far' from his first podium with the Scuderia. He plans to 'deep dive in these next couple of days' to better understand and extract more performance from the car as the season heads into its final five rounds. The team's improved pace offers a positive outlook for their continued development.