Max Verstappen started his race from P6 at the US Grand Prix and was quick to catch up with Lewis Hamilton and make sure he won the race. But as the race was nearing the end, the Dutchman clearly was getting more and more tense with the legend of the sport pressuring him on. As the two went on, the Mercedes star, Sir Lewis Hamilton slowly crawled closer to him, pushing Verstappen to lose his cool over the brakes.
It seemed like in every corner, Max Verstappen was struggling with the brakes which affected his race. By the end of the race, he seemed to have struggled enough to get Hamilton only one second behind him. This would be the first time all season that someone has come even a second closer to him. That was when the Red Bull star cracked although he already has secured his third championship victory.
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He yelled on the radio, “Mate these brakes are so sh*t compared to yesterday. What a piece of sh*t.” The Dutchman clearly lost his patience with the car after seeing his long-time rival catch up with him in no time. As for Hamilton, what could have been a race win with a few more laps turned into a beautiful P2 podium. This will have the star of the sport record his 197th podium win this season.
Lewis Hamilton was in need of a few more laps to beat Max Verstappen
Lewis Hamilton was very happy with the team. After their new floor installment, Mercedes started cruising in the front. So not any different for Hamilton, the driver was happy with his result and knew that he could have achieved more. The Mercedes star was looking forward to beating Verstappen which may come soon for him. However, he believes he only needed a few more laps to beat the Dutchman.
The driver said in his post-race interview, “We were catching him towards the end but we needed a couple more laps. Felt great and really happy with this result.” Nonetheless, the 7-time world champion recorded his 197th podium in Formula 1. The interview ended with Hamilton being praised for all he has done for the sport and fighting at the front again. He happily acknowledged the P2 as his teammate earned 6 crucial points too.
Lewis Hamilton’s post-race interview:
“We were catching him towards then end but we needed a couple more laps.”
“Felt great and really happy with this result.” pic.twitter.com/1MYuxNul1H
— Mercedes-AMG F1 News (@MercedesNewsUK) October 22, 2023
The moment when Max Verstappen struggled with his brakes as an aggressive Hamilton came closer and closer gave somewhat of a 2021 flashback. However, this time around it would have been Hamilton redeeming himself. But with a good nudge in the right direction, Mercedes has found their key ingredient. With more developments, the team might possibly fight for the championship next year.
