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

Hamilton and Russell shine in Austin, setting the stage for an enthralling U.S. Grand Prix.

In a rousing Friday evening at the Circuit of the Americas, Lewis Hamilton and George Russell nabbed third and fifth starting spots, respectively, for the United States Grand Prix. Hamilton's spirits ran high, expressing love for the circuit and voicing optimism for Saturday's showdown and Sunday's race.

Key Takeaways

• Hamilton clinches P3 while teammate Russell secures P5 for the United States Grand Prix.
• The solitary hour of practice gave insight into promising car upgrades, notably the updated floor.
• Saturday ushers in the standalone sprint format, the weekend's maiden opportunity to add points.

- Mercedes-AMG 

A riveting Friday evening unfolded at the Circuit of the Americas, setting the stage for an enthralling United States Grand Prix. Both Lewis Hamilton and George Russell demonstrated considerable prowess in their upgraded W14s, clinching third and fifth positions respectively for Sunday's race. The sprint format of the weekend saw just one hour of practice preceding the Friday evening qualifiers.

The promising pace demonstrated by both cars during FP1 was an encouraging sign. The updated floor, a recent upgrade brought to the Circuit of the Americas by the team, performed exactly to expectations. Hamilton exhibited consistent strength through the qualifiers. He shone brilliantly in Q1, emerging as the fastest driver, and later finished Q2 in the third spot. In contrast, George Russell experienced some challenges with his car's balance. However, he persevered through each stage, ensuring a berth in the top-10 shootout.

A notable moment came when both drivers displayed improvement in their final efforts. Hamilton, with a remarkable push, was just a hair away from the pole position, missing by a mere 0.139 seconds. Close on his heels, Russell grabbed P5, trailing by an additional 0.217 seconds.

- Mercedes-AMG

Hamilton, ever the driving force both on and off the track, extended gratitude to his support team. 

"I have to say a big thank you to everyone back at the factory. They have been pushing so hard to improve our car and we have taken a step closer to the front this weekend. I know everyone is working flat out for that and I appreciate all the efforts. Unfortunately, today, we weren't quite at the very front, but we will give it another shot tomorrow," he said.

Further expressing his affection for the American track, Hamilton gushed:

"I love being in the United States! It's such a beautiful country and this circuit is just incredible. It is definitely one of my favourites." 

The track, with its unique layout, is not only a favourite among fans but is also viewed by drivers as an exhilarating challenge. Hamilton added:

"It has a legendary layout, it's bumpy, and all the drivers find it very tricky. Each section is an incredible challenge."

Ending on a high note, with a mix of anticipation and hope, Hamilton said:

"I hope tomorrow we can fight for P1 again. I'll be giving it my best shot and with this crowd, I think anything is possible."

As the sun sets on the Circuit of the Americas, the stage is all set for an electrifying weekend of racing. With the sprint format in play, expectations are soaring, and as Hamilton puts it, "anything is possible."