Lewis Hamilton reveals the KEY factor behind impressive P2 finish at Mexican GP

Hamilton has had six podium finishes this season.

Lewis Hamilton reveals the KEY factor behind impressive P2 finish at Mexican GP

Lewis Hamilton 2023 Mexican GP (via IMAGO)

Lewis Hamilton had a great race in Mexico, finishing 2nd after qualifying sixth. On lap 34, Kevin Magnussen crashed heavily into the barriers, bringing out a red flag. Hamilton was in third for the restart and changed for mediums while Charles Leclerc and Max Verstappen went for hard tyres. The Mercedes racer could not take advantage of his faster tires at the restart but managed to take second away from Leclerc a couple of laps later.

Lewis Hamilton then had to fend off the two Ferraris behind him while battling tire degradation. Ferrari was sure that the mediums would fall off and Hamilton would be easier to catch, but Hamilton could manage them so well that he retained second place and proceeded to clinch the fastest lap of the race on the last lap.

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While speaking post-race to former champion and Hamilton’s McLaren teammate Jenson Button, Hamilton said that he wasn’t sure he could make the tires last that long, but the podium finish was a welcome surprise. Hamilton said that he had to drive carefully with ‘sweet finesse’ to stay ahead of the Ferraris behind.

I wasn't thinking it was going to last. But I did some real sweet finesse. I was trying to drive like you...
Hamilton as reported by autosport.com

Now, Hamilton has had two unlucky races in a row- a first-lap collision with his teammate in Qatar followed by a disqualification for breaching regulations in the US Grand Prix. Hamilton’s gap to Sergio Perez in the standings has shrunk to only 20 points, and he will be looking to take 2nd place away from Perez within the coming final 3 races of the season.

Hamilton is certain that Mercedes will build a title-challenging car in 2024

Lewis Hamilton is confident that Mercedes will build a car to go toe-to-toe against Red Bull in 2024 after finishing second in the Mexican Grand Prix. Hamilton pulled off a series of overtakes, passing Daniel Ricciardo and undercutting Carlos Sainz in the first part of the race, then overtaking Leclerc after the restart. The British driver believes that Mercedes could compete with Red Bull next year and fight for wins. 

Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton and George Russell
Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton and George Russell (via Planet F1)
I know we can build a great car. We haven’t for the past two years but we can build a great car. There is a lot of engineers, no one wants to copy anybody they want to find their own way, we are progressing well.
Hamilton as per formula1.com

Hamilton has had six podium finishes this season, and stands third in the Driver’s standings behind Sergio Perez who has just 20 points more. There are three races left in the calendar, and Hamilton will be vying to outscore Perez to try and take second place in the Championship.

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