Hamilton's US GP Last Lap 'Puncture' Scare Detailed

Lewis Hamilton narrowly avoided a potentially disastrous final lap at the US Grand Prix, experiencing what felt like a puncture that caused a significant drop in pace. Despite the scare, he managed to hold onto fourth place, just one second ahead of Oscar Piastri, and expressed optimism about the car's recent performance trend.

Why it matters:

Lewis Hamilton's near-miss on the final lap highlights the fine margins in Formula 1 and the constant pressure on drivers to adapt to unexpected issues. While a puncture would have been devastating for his race result, his ability to manage the situation and secure a strong finish demonstrates his veteran skill. This incident also comes as Mercedes continues to seek consistent performance, making every point crucial.

The details:

• Hamilton, utilizing soft tires for his final stint after a single pit stop on lap 31, had maintained a comfortable several-second lead over Oscar Piastri.
• On the final lap, entering Turn 5, Hamilton reported hitting something, immediately feeling a 'massive understeer' that led him to believe he had a puncture.
• The issue persisted into Turn 11, where he struggled to brake, stating, "the thing wouldn’t stop."
• Despite the significant handling difficulties, Hamilton managed to control the car through the final corners, crossing the finish line just one second ahead of Piastri.
• He suspected either a broken front wing or a tire issue, emphasizing how 'close' it was with Piastri.

The big picture:

Hamilton's fourth-place finish at the US Grand Prix matched his best result of the season with Mercedes, marking a positive turnaround from a challenging start to the weekend. This performance, coupled with his growing comfort in the car, signals a potentially improving trend for both him and the team as they aim to maximize their remaining races.

What's next:

Hamilton plans to conduct a "deep dive" into the car's performance in the coming days, seeking ways to extract more from it and further improve its setup. His focus is on ensuring a strong end to the season, building on the positive momentum and better feeling he's developing with the car, and continuing to push for higher finishes in the remaining races.