Hamilton Disagrees With Verstappen On Sprint Race Verdict

Wednesday, 25 October 2023 at 07:00

Updated at Wednesday, 25 October 2023 at 08:08

Mercedes F1 driver Lewis Hamilton shared "a slightly different" perspective on sprint races after Max Verstappen's criticism post-2023 United States Grand Prix.

The seven-time World Champion finished second in the sprint race after starting from the third position on the grid and overtaking second Charles Leclerc after the first corner.

The battle for the first three places pretty much ended right there after the first corner and has not changed since then, while drivers managed their pace until the end of the sprint race.

Consequently, the Sprint race at Circuit of the Americas has been categorized as one of the most boring races of the season by many Formula One fans.

Read also

Hamilton Believes To Be 'One Of The Only Drivers' Who Can Challenge Verstappen

At the press conference after the end of the sprint race, Red Bull's Max Verstappen shared he does "not get excited" by the concept of Sprint Weekend format and thinks it "takes the magic" away from the race on Sunday.

Following the Dutchman's criticism, Hamilton shared his perspective of the sprint race, saying, "It's fun" for other drivers chasing the race leader (Verstappen). As reported by Racingnews365, Hamilton told media:

"It’s a slightly different perspective when you're chasing so for us it's fun. I like having the extra opportunity to get out there and try to squeeze everything, every little bit and more out of the package that we have."

While the Mercedes driver admitted the Sprint weekend format could improve, he likes only one practice session on Friday and thinks it has been exciting for people to watch.

"Can it be better? I'm sure we can learn. I think it's been exciting for people, so I personally quite like the sprint weekends, particularly a Friday I really like where you only have one practice session, and then you’re straight into qualifying."

Sprint weekends might be up for some change as complaints pile on. Red Bull Racing team principal Christian Horner also called for an improvement to the format after the Sprint race in Austin.