Recent developments in Formula 1 have shed light on the cause behind Lewis Hamilton’s DNF (Did Not Finish) at the 2024 US Grand Prix. Max Verstappen’s Red Bull team revealed crucial data that clarifies the incident, which had raised questions about Hamilton’s performance. The analysis suggested that Hamilton’s car was on an aggressive trajectory and would likely have lost control at a critical turn had the crash not occurred, indicating that it was not a mechanical failure but a driver miscalculation.
The incident happened early in the race, with Hamilton losing control of his car during a high-speed cornering maneuver. The data released after the race shows that Verstappen had strategically managed his race to avoid a penalty while also forcing Hamilton into a tough position, contributing to his rival’s crash. While some speculated about potential mechanical failures, the data makes it clear that Hamilton’s error in handling the turn was a significant factor in the incident.
Toto Wolff, Mercedes’ team principal, commented on the matter, emphasizing that this kind of mistake from a seasoned driver like Hamilton is rare, which led to widespread interest in analyzing the race data to determine what went wrong. On the other hand, Red Bull’s team principal, Christian Horner, defended Verstappen’s race tactics, stating that Verstappen was “clever” in his approach and that the team acted within the rules. This has led to more scrutiny on both the drivers’ decisions and their teams’ strategies during the race.
In addition to this, Lando Norris was hit with a controversial five-second penalty during the same race, further stirring debates around F1’s penalty system. McLaren’s team protested against the ruling, calling it “scandalous,” while Red Bull continued to back Verstappen’s position during the entire affair.
Ultimately, this incident adds to the growing tension between top drivers in F1, with Verstappen continuing to dominate the season and Hamilton facing setbacks. Both teams, Mercedes and Red Bull, remain locked in fierce rivalry, with each race now becoming more critical as the championship nears its conclusion.