Dejected Hamilton Expresses Ferrari Concern After 'Meaningless' Vegas Recovery

Lewis Hamilton cut a dejected figure after the Las Vegas Grand Prix, describing his recovery from 19th to 10th as "meaningless" and voicing real concern for Ferrari's Constructors' Championship aspirations.

Why it matters:

Hamilton's candid frustration underscores the deepening struggles at Ferrari and his personal challenges this season. His remarks highlight the team's dwindling hopes for securing second place in the Constructors' standings, a critical financial and reputational goal for the Scuderia. This sentiment also reflects the pressure on Hamilton to deliver, especially as his performance directly impacts the team's championship fight.

The details:

• Worst Qualifying: Hamilton qualified 19th in Las Vegas, his worst F1 qualifying performance on pure pace ever, though he was promoted to 18th due to Yuki Tsunoda's pit lane start.
• Pointless Recovery: Despite a strong start that saw him reach 12th by the end of Lap 1 and ultimately finish 10th, Hamilton found no satisfaction, stating, "Zero. The most meaningless nine places, it doesn't mean anything. It's still a bad weekend."
• Championship Impact: With Hamilton finishing 10th and Charles Leclerc in sixth, Ferrari lost further ground in the fight for second in the Constructors' standings. They now trail Mercedes by 52 points and Red Bull by 20 points.
• Self-Reflection: Hamilton directly attributed Ferrari's struggles for P2 to his own performances, commenting, "I don't even know how many points we have, but at this rate, with my performances, we don't [have a chance at P2]."
• Bleak Outlook: Looking ahead to the final two races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi, Hamilton expressed little hope, grimly stating, "I mean, I've had 22 bad weekends. So I anticipate another couple."

The big picture:

Hamilton's disappointing weekend in Las Vegas is symptomatic of a larger pattern for Ferrari this season. Despite occasional flashes of pace, consistency, and reliability have eluded them, preventing a sustained challenge against Mercedes and Red Bull. The gap to second place, now a significant 52 points, appears increasingly insurmountable, making the remaining races crucial for pride rather than position. This situation also places a spotlight on Hamilton, who has yet to secure a podium this season, intensifying scrutiny on his contribution to the team's overall performance.

What's next:

Ferrari will head into the final two rounds of the season in Qatar and Abu Dhabi with the primary goal of minimizing further damage in the Constructors' Championship. While second place seems out of reach, solid performances could help in closing the gap slightly and building momentum for the next season. For Hamilton, these races represent his last opportunities to salvage a podium finish in what has been a trying year and to demonstrate his enduring capability to lead the team.