Overview
- Lewis Hamilton finished fourth at the United States Grand Prix after struggling with heavy understeer that he traced to an incorrect Friday setup that carried through practice and the race.
- Hamilton said his car ran about '12 clicks' down on front-wing trim, explaining that each 'click' is a small flap adjustment that adds front downforce and that incremental additions at pit stops failed to restore balance.
- He said Charles Leclerc ran and validated a different setup in the P2 long run that Hamilton did not get, which left the teammates with different starting balance and race pace.
- Hamilton also called his tyre choice suboptimal, saying he started on two medium tyres when, in hindsight, two hard tyres proved the faster option at COTA.
- The result moved Hamilton within one point of George Russell for second in the standings and adds pressure on Ferrari after earlier strategy lapses this season, raising questions about the team's preparation and in-race decision processes ahead of the remaining races.