AUSTIN: Positives Shine Through Despite Final Outcome

That, added to the bumpy nature of the Circuit of the Americas, contributed to our team leaving the United States Grand Prix with just a fifth-place finish, following Lewis’ disqualification for excessive wear on the rear skid of car No.44 post-race. 

“Others got it right, and we got it wrong,” said Toto afterwards. “There is no wriggle room on the rules. We need to take it on the chin, do the learning and come back stronger next weekend.”

Let us take a step back for a moment, and focus on what was a strong and largely positive race weekend up until 7.30pm local time in Austin. From the second both Lewis Hamilton and George Russell headed out for FP1 on Friday afternoon, the new updates the Team had brought to the US GP gave both drivers reason to be optimistic for the weekend ahead. 

While the updates were ultimately aimed at helping our development path for 2024, it was pleasing to see such immediate positive feedback.

“Straight from the get-go in FP1 Lewis said he could feel the rear now. That means the car has become more predictable and given both drivers confidence,” said Toto.

That confidence carried across into Friday evening Quali with Lewis, who had been quickest in Q1, sticking his W14 just a tenth off pole in P3. George’s lap, by his own admission, was not the cleanest, but he was handily placed and right in the mix too in P5.

“I can definitely feel the improvements we’ve made with the updates,” said George.

Lewis agreed: “Right from the start of FP1 I was on it. I felt really good in the car and could feel the upgrade,” he said. “It’s great to see us taking this step in the right direction.”

Sunday was another chance to show what we could while at the front, though neither driver was able to repeat the first lap moves of Saturday. Lewis dropped behind Sainz to P4 on the opening lap, and George was passed by Verstappen and Piastri, falling to P7.

Lewis once again demonstrated the speed of the car versus the Ferrari in race trim, clearing both Sainz and Leclerc in the first stint to run second behind Norris. When the McLaren stopped, Lewis assumed the lead and we were potentially looking at a one-stop race, extending the first stint on the Mediums. 

But things can change so quickly in Formula One, and it became apparent very quickly that the tyres were not going to play ball. When Lewis emerged from his first stop on lap 21, he had dropped to third behind Norris and Verstappen, who had stopped earlier. 

Now offset to the pair in front, Lewis pushed hard in the second stint to get as close as possible, knowing he could be in striking distance of a win in the final stages. He came out following his second stop in P4. 6.5 seconds off the lead on fresh Mediums. The hunt was on.

Leclerc was dealt with comfortably, as the Ferrari dropped back on his one stop strategy. Lap 43 of 56 and Lewis was fastest man on track, reeling in Norris’ McLaren. “We’re forecasting P2, maybe even the win,” was the call from Bono on the radio.

And Lewis was doing everything he could to get that win. A super move on the McLaren round the outside of Turn Two set up a thrilling last few laps. The lap count went up, and the gap at the front came down. Lewis took two and a half seconds out of the Red Bull in the last two laps but would ultimately run out of time to get within DRS range and attempt a move