F1 News: Lewis Hamilton Predicts "Good Battle" For Austin GP After Sprint Race Podium

Hamilton's post-race reflections showcased a mix of gratitude to fans, contentment with Mercedes' advancements, and anticipation for thrilling battles in the upcoming Grand Prix.

In the aftermath of the Austin GP Sprint Race, Lewis Hamilton was all praise for the deafening support he received from the fans. The British champion navigated an intense battle with Charles Leclerc to clinch second position, yet highlighted the undeniable pace of Max Verstappen.

Key Takeaways:

• The roaring crowd at Austin left Hamilton momentarily deaf to David Coulthard's post-race questions, reiterating the electrifying atmosphere at the track.
• With a new floor upgrade in place, Mercedes is inching closer to Red Bull's dominating pace, even if they're not quite there yet. Hamilton expressed contentment with the team's progression, hinting at tighter races ahead.
• Starting third in the main Grand Prix tomorrow, Hamilton is optimistic about the challenges from Leclerc and Norris. Yet, he remains wary of the looming threat from Verstappen, who starts from P6.

In his post-race interview, Hamilton told David Coulthard:

“I didn't hear a single word you just said, the crowd just sounded so great, so thank you, everyone, for the amazing support.

"That was a really fun race. [A] good start down to turn one and a good battle with Charles and then I was trying early on to get closer to Max but their pace is just undeniable at the moment but I'm happy we're a little bit closer."

Mercedes' efforts to bridge the gap to Red Bull were evident. The team introduced a new floor upgrade for the Austin weekend, and while the results were promising, Hamilton emphasised: 

"We've still got a long way to be able to beat the pace that he was doing throughout the race, but nonetheless, I'm really happy to be back on the podium.

"I think it will be helpful for us at the front. I mean, ultimately, I think he will be breathing down our necks before too long with the pace that he had today. I think that will open up for a good fight with Charles and Lando. We're all quite similar in pace. So hopefully we get to have a good battle tomorrow. If we can all keep Max behind that would be awesome but if not, no worries.”

F1 News: Lewis Hamilton To Fight for Win At Austin - "Anything Is Possible"

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