Hamilton Tops Final Practice at the United States Grand Prix
Lewis Hamilton set the fastest lap in the final practice session for the US GP, signalling a strong weekend for Mercedes ahead of qualifying.
Lewis Hamilton reclaimed the top spot in the final practice session (FP3) at the United States Grand Prix in Austin, Texas, posting the quickest lap of the day according to Formula1.com. The seven‑time world champion clocked a 1:33.210 on medium‑compound tyres, edging out Red Bull’s Max Verstappen and Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, who were second and third respectively.
Hamilton’s pace came after a mixed weekend for Mercedes, with the team struggling to match the outright speed of Red Bull in earlier sessions. The British driver’s lap was set on the final lap of the session, suggesting that the car’s balance was improving as the track warmed and the team fine‑tuned its setup. Verstappen, who topped the first practice session, could only manage a best time of 1:33.453, while Leclerc’s 1:33.560 kept Ferrari within striking distance.
The session was notable for a few technical hiccups: both Red Bull and Ferrari reported minor issues with their power units, but none required a full‑scale intervention. Mercedes, meanwhile, appeared to have solved a lingering brake‑bias problem that had hampered Hamilton’s early runs. The improved handling allowed the seven‑time champion to extract maximum performance from the Mercedes W14, a car that has shown flashes of speed but has been inconsistent throughout the season.
For Indian fans: The United States Grand Prix qualifying is scheduled for 2:00 pm IST on Sunday, with the race kicking off at 5:00 pm IST. Indian viewers can stream the live action on FanCode, which holds the official broadcasting rights for the 2024 F1 season in India. Hamilton’s strong practice performance adds intrigue to the showdown with Verstappen, who leads the championship, and Leclerc, who is keen to close the gap.
Should Hamilton convert his practice speed into a pole position, it could reshape the championship narrative heading into the final races of the season. The next round in Brazil will be crucial for all three title contenders.
Source: Formula1.com