F1 News: Lewis Hamilton CRASHES early in US GP chaos

Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes, United States, 2024 — Photo: © IMAGO

United States GP

Hamilton CRASHES early in US GP chaos

All the action from the opening stages of the 2024 US Grand Prix

Kerry Violet F1 News Editor

F1 editor and journalist covering motorsport since 2024.

Sunday 20 October 2024 21:30 Updated: 22:17

EARLY REPORT: Lewis Hamilton has exited the US Grand Prix early in Austin, spinning off into the gravel to bring out a safety car.

The 39-year-old holds the record for the most wins around COTA with five, but won't be adding to that tally this weekend.

The seven-time champion got off to a strong start initially, progressing from P17 to P18, but beached his Mercedes in the gravel.

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Championship contender Lando Norris got off fairly well from pole position but failed to defend against Max Verstappen, the pair too focused on their own battle into the first corner, leading to the Ferrari of Charles Leclerc taking the lead as a result.

How did Lando Norris lose his US GP lead?

Perhaps hyper-focused on his own battle with Verstappen and McLaren's charge against Red Bull in the constructors' championship, the papaya, piloted by the 24-year-old left a gap wide open around the first corner.

Critical of the championship hopeful's error, Sky F1 pundit Martin Brundle declared: "He had it covered but just didn’t cover it enough.

"Just not aggressive enough, he really needed to close Max off and that then left them scuffling amongst themselves and Leclerc, in particular, filled his boots."

Max Verstappen Lewis Hamilton Mercedes Lando Norris Charles Leclerc US Grand Prix