Lewis Hamilton qualified fifth at the United States Grand Prix behind the Ferraris and Red Bulls, but will start third with Charles Leclerc and Sergio Perez facing grid penalties; watch the race live on Sky Sports F1 at 8pm on Sunday, with build up from 6:30pm
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Lewis Hamilton’s Mercedes admitted that Saturday’s Qualifying session was not what he hoped it would be
Lewis Hamilton admitted he “expected a lot more” from the upgrades Mercedes brought to the US Grand Prix, after finishing fifth in qualifying behind the Ferraris and Red Bulls.
Mercedes have endured a disappointing campaign under F1’s radical new design regulations for 2022, with an eight-year run of constructors’ championships set to end as they remain winless with just four races left this season.
Hamilton appeared to make the most of the significant upgrades – centered on the floor and the rear wing – that his team has brought to Texas as it defeated the Red Bulls on the opening runs of the latter part the qualifying game, although he remains behind Ferraris.
However, he could not maintain that pace on the crucial final run as he fell behind world champion Max Verstappen and team-mate Sergio Perez, finishing nearly sixth back in tenth from sitter Carlos Sainz.
“It wasn’t the first sector for me, it was the last sector, but that was a very difficult Qualifying session,” said Hamilton.
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Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz will start on pole position at the United States Grand Prix
“I had been feeling so optimistic all weekend, the car was set up feeling good, everyone back at the factory had worked so hard to bring an upgrade and I was so hopeful that we would much closer than we were.
“Once we got to Qualifying, I don’t know if it was because the temperature dropped or the wind or what, but the car was a handful so sharp and no different to any other time we’ve driven it, but I was to expect us. much more.”
Despite his disappointment, grid penalties for Perez and Charles Leclerc, who qualified second behind his Ferrari team-mate Sainz, mean that Hamilton will start from third, with the other Mercedes of George Russell alongside him on the second row.
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Anthony Davidson analyzes Sainz and Max Verstappen’s lap performance in US Grand Prix Qualifying
Mercedes have generally been stronger in races than qualifying this season, but Hamilton was not confident of challenging Sainz and Verstappen for victory on Sunday.
“These guys are much faster, especially Red Bull at the front,” added the seven-time world champion.
“I think we might be able to keep up with them through the corners but on sheer speed, regardless of what upgrade we bring, the gap remains the same.
“That is definitely difficult for everyone in the team who is pushing so hard, but we will give it our all tomorrow.”
Russell & Wolff predict ‘exciting’ race
Despite Hamilton’s frustration, there were more positive reactions to the upgrade from Russell and Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff.
Russell said the high level of tire degradation he expects in Sunday’s race gives him confidence that the opportunity to run various strategies will make for an interesting contest. To see also : The world’s most valuable sports team hasn’t won anything in decades. How?.
George Russell will start alongside Hamilton on the second row
“It’s rare that a driver goes into a weekend more excited about the race than qualifying, but I went to sleep last night after Friday practice thinking that Sunday was going to be an exciting day,” said Russell.
“A lot of tire degradation and multiple options for strategy, and I think that’s what makes these F1 races exciting. If it’s one easy stop, it’s the same for everyone and it’s not as exciting with that.”
Wolff was pleased with the update, suggesting it has brought Mercedes within striking distance of its rivals at a track they do not consider one of their strongest.
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Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff pays tribute to Red Bull owner Dietrich Mateschitz, who died aged 78
“I think the update is working,” Wolff said.
“We had a lap three tenths earlier, but the car was so difficult to drive.
“I think for tomorrow we could be part of exciting games.
“I think Austin was never great for us in the past, and here it has worked well. We are sixty tenths away, it could have been three, so yes [it has worked].”
