Lewis Hamilton’s impressive recovery from 10th on the grid to second place at the 2024 Las Vegas Grand Prix reminded him of his karting days, evoking memories of his early racing career. Despite facing difficulties in qualifying, where mistakes during both flying laps left him outside the top 5, Hamilton showcased his exceptional skill and racecraft during the event.
In qualifying, Hamilton struggled around the streets of Las Vegas, failing to extract the best performance from his Mercedes car. His two flying laps in Q3 were not perfect, which relegated him to 10th on the grid for the race. However, his performance in the race was a different story. While teammate George Russell dominated from pole position, Hamilton gradually worked his way up the order with impressive pace, ultimately finishing in second place after the final pit stops.
Reflecting on his recovery, Hamilton compared the feeling to his early karting days at Rye House, where he often found himself starting from the back and fighting his way through the field. “I had a great time, when you’re progressing it’s always a great feeling,” Hamilton said. “It felt very much like my old days [karting], starting at the back and coming through – so it was great.”
Hamilton also praised the improvements in the car, noting that it felt much better during the race than it had during qualifying. He acknowledged the teamwork behind the performance, calling it “phenomenal” and reflecting on how the team has been working hard to improve throughout the season. However, he also admitted that it was “slightly bittersweet,” as he believed that had he qualified better, he could have been in contention for the win. Despite that, Hamilton was pleased with his final result, especially considering that he had not expected to finish in second place before the race.
Mercedes has had a mixed season, with moments of brilliance and also some disappointing performances. When asked if the performance in Las Vegas could be sustained through the final two races of the season, Hamilton admitted uncertainty. “I have no idea! I don’t think anyone in the team knows why we’re as quick as we are this weekend,” he said. “We’re happy about it, but often in hotter conditions, we struggle more. Maybe Qatar will be cooler, and we were okay there last year, so we’ll see.”
Hamilton’s strong finish in Las Vegas, paired with his positive attitude and resilience, has demonstrated once again why he is considered one of the greatest drivers in Formula 1. As the season nears its end, all eyes will be on how Mercedes performs in the upcoming races, with Hamilton and his team hoping to maintain the momentum from their Las Vegas success.
