P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Wolff: Mercedes had car to beat Verstappen at F1 US GP
Lewis Hamilton had an impressive race, utilizing a floor upgrade to challenge Max Verstappen for the win, finishing just 2.225 seconds behind. However, Mercedes was disappointed with their slow pitstops and an extended first tire stint that didn’t pay off. Team boss Toto Wolff acknowledged that the car was quick and Hamilton drove fantastically, but there were several factors that went against them. They considered a two-stop strategy but ultimately decided to try for a one-stop, which backfired when the tire performance deteriorated. Mercedes felt that challenging Verstappen on the same strategy would not have been enough to win, given Red Bull’s dominance this season. Overall, they were not placing blame but acknowledged the need to improve.
Source: motorsport
