After much controversy, the Las Vegas GP is now traveling on smoother waters, with the Qualifying session going as planned. However, the same wasn’t the case for Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton, who suffered a shock exit in Q2, courtesy of blistering fast laps from both Williams drivers.
While George Russell was comfortably into the Q3, he asked his race engineer, Marcus Dudley, where his British teammate was (radio messages posted on X by Deni), and the answer was a surprise to Russell.
GR: “Where’s Lewis?”
MD: “He just dropped to P11.”
GR: “F*ck!”
Speaking to his race engineer, Hamilton said he could not find more pace in his car to keep himself safe from a shock exit.
“Couldn’t go faster, mate.”
Gunning for Sergio Perez‘s P2 place in the driver’s standings, the exit was a massive letdown for Hamilton, who looked like he could take up a spot in the front end of the field. Even the fans were unhappy with his exit, and they let their feelings known on social media.
Fans left disappointed as Lewis Hamilton goes out in Q2 in the Las Vegas GP
With Perez also out in Q2, Hamilton had the chance to capitalize on the Mexican’s early exit and secure a high starting position for Sunday. As such, the Briton would have had a great chance at eating out the points difference between him and Perez, giving way to a major showdown in Abu Dhabi. However, the 7-time world champion was not on pace to make it into the top ten and went out in Q2.
Given the same, fans of Hamilton faced major disappointment after having high expectations of the 6-time winner in the American Grands Prix.
🇺🇸🎰| Fim do Q2
Lewis Hamilton P11
George Russell P3 pic.twitter.com/5HWJp5AkZZ
— Portal Mercedão F1 (@MercedesF1BR) November 18, 2023
Lewis Hamilton is out in Q2 pic.twitter.com/NA7alIi8rV
— ً (@tsimiks) November 18, 2023
Some fans lauded Logan Sargeant for ousting Hamilton and Perez in Q2 in his home Grand Prix.
Logan Sargeant is in Q3.
Lewis Hamilton, Sergio Perez, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri are not.
Las Vegas GP qualifying has been great so far 🦅
— Dan’s DRS Zone (@F1GuyDan) November 18, 2023
LOGAN SARGEANT OUTQUALIFIES LEWIS HAMILTON IN THE LAS VEGAS GP, AND OVERTAKES HIM AS THE WORLD’S GREATEST RACING DRIVER RAHHHHHHH 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🦅 pic.twitter.com/9lMsm6Nh5y
— Coopuhr ⚡️ (@Coopuhr) November 18, 2023
However, the focus was still on Hamilton exiting the session earlier than expected.
😱İ N A N I L M A Z !
❌Lewis Hamilton, Q2’de elendi! #LasVegasGP | #F1 pic.twitter.com/wCEsPDepNt
— Tutkumuz F1 (@F1tutkumuz) November 18, 2023
LEWIS HAMILTON ÉLIMINÉ EN Q2 !!! 😳😳
📻 “Je ne pouvais pas aller plus vite.”#F1 #LasVegasGP pic.twitter.com/Cftk9SWjdo
— Off Track (@OffTrack_FR) November 18, 2023
Q2 Results 📷
11) Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes
12) Sergio Perez, Red Bull
13) Nico Hülkenberg, Haas
14) Lance Stroll, Aston Martin
15) Daniel Riccardo, AlphaTauri pic.twitter.com/BeVQO0ZKDd— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) November 18, 2023
With only 32 points separating him from P2, it looks like Hamilton will fall short of the task of ousting Perez as the first runner-up in this year’s drivers’ championship. Furthermore, given both Ferrari cars made it to Q3 and will start ahead of both the Mercedes cars, there are strong chances that the Silver Arrows, who are only 20 points ahead of the Prancing Horse, will not be able to defend their P2 standing in the constructor’s standings.