Hamilton: I think I could have won

Mercedes looked quick from the get-go around the streets of Las Vegas, as the team topped all three practice sessions on Thursday and Friday. Hamilton set the fastest times in FP1 and FP2, but when it came to Qualifying the seven-time World Champion faltered. Unable to set a representative lap in Q3, he could only muster P10 on the starting grid for the 50-lap race.

However, the W15 car beneath him proved to be the best overall package during the Grand Prix, allowing the Mercedes driver to scythe his way past the likes of Lando Norris, Max Verstappen and both Ferraris to finish second behind teammate George Russell. It was Russell's first win of 2024, after his victory at the Belgian Grand Prix was snatched away by Hamilton due to disqualification for an underweight car.

The Brackley-based outfit are over 1000 points behind third-placed Red Bull in the Constructors' Standings and will therefore have to settle for P4. Nevertheless, Hamilton is determined to end his season on a high before he moves to rivals Ferrari in the next campaign. While the Briton was happy with the result under the Vegas lights, he believes he could have done even better.

In a press release by Mercedes, Hamilton expressed delight at helping Mercedes secure their first one-two finish of the season. He said: "I'm really happy for the team. It was an exceptional performance by everyone this weekend to claim the 1-2.

"The car felt strong throughout and I had a really fun and enjoyable race. It felt great to be moving forward throughout as I had a long way to come back from," stated the 39-year-old.

Hamilton thinks he had the pace over Russell to win the Las Vegas Grand Prix, and thus was disappointed to start the race from tenth position. He continued: "It is slightly bittersweet as if we had qualified where we should have yesterday, I think I could have won.

"Nevertheless, I didn't think I would have been able to finish P2 today before the race so I'm very happy," Hamilton added.

He concluded by congratulating Verstappen for a fourth consecutive Drivers' Title: "Congratulations must also go to Max too who claimed the title today. He's done a fantastic job all year and is a deserving champion."

Hamilton will next race at the Qatar Grand Prix, which commences Sunday 1 December at 16:00 GMT (19:00 local time).