Hamilton "mindset is to win" after COTA qualifying struggles

Lewis Hamilton is fixated a seventh United States Grand Prix despite 'struggles' in qualifying after title rival Max Verstappen scored pole.

Hamilton and Verstappen will start alongside each other on the front row of the grid for the seventh time this year.

Although "happy" with his final effort, Hamilton conceded Mercedes has slipped back into the clutches of Red Bull across the weekend after enjoying a nine-tenth margin on Friday.

“I gave it everything today," said Hamilton. "It was a bit of a struggle through qualifying.

"I think from P1 onwards we fell back a little bit and those guys were incredibly quick through qualifying.

“I was happy with my last lap. Of course, there are always areas we can improve but I think that was pretty much everything that we had and so we will just work as hard as we can tomorrow.

“It’s good positioning for tomorrow so hopefully it will be a good race down to turn one.”

With six races remaining of the season, Hamilton currently trails Verstappen by six points, a margin that would extend by seven points if the race were to finish as it starts.

Asked of his thoughts heading into Sunday's race, Hamilton explained: “Mindset is to win the race and to give these guys the best race they have seen.”

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