Hamilton: No matter the upgrade we bring the gap stays the same

The seven-time world champion, who holds the most pole positions at COTA with three, had hoped to challenge the Red Bulls and Ferraris in Saturday’s qualifying session in his upgraded Mercedes but ended up half a second off the pace in fifth. 

However, engine-related grid penalties for Charles Leclerc and Sergio Perez mean Hamilton will start Sunday’s grand prix third behind polesitter Carlos Sainz and Max Verstappen. 

• Qualifying report: Sainz on United States GP pole position ahead of Verstappen
• F1 2022 United States Grand Prix - Full Qualifying results

“It was a really, really difficult qualifying session,” admitted Hamilton. “I’d felt so optimistic all weekend, the car had been feeling good. 

“Everyone back at the factory has worked so hard to bring an upgrade and I was really hopeful that we were going to be much, much closer than we were. 

“But once we got to qualifying, I don’t know if it’s because the temperatures dropped, or the wind, or what, but the car was such a handful all of a sudden and not like any other time we’ve driven it [here]. I was expecting a bit more.” 

Mercedes have brought their last substantial upgrade of the season for their W13 to Austin but Hamilton believes it has not brought them any closer to Red Bull. 

“These guys are a lot quicker on the straights, particularly Red Bull,” Hamilton explained. 

“I think we might be able to keep up with them through the corners but in pure pace they are just… No matter what upgrade we bring, the gap stays the same. 

“I don't know if they are bringing upgrades the same time we are bringing upgrades but that’s definitely really tough for everyone in the team that’s pushing really hard. 

“Still, we’ll give it everything tomorrow.” 

Mercedes can play ‘exciting games’ 

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff was more optimistic about his team's performance in qualifying. 

Wolff confirmed the updates worked as expected and is confident Mercedes can mix it up at the front with Hamilton and George Russell both starting from the second row.

“I think the update works,” he said. “We had a lap in us that was three-tenths quicker but the car is so tricky to drive. 

“I think for tomorrow we could be part of some exciting games.” 

Russell told Sky: “You always hope for more. When you go into a qualifying session you always dream and believe but obviously we have to be realistic. 

“We know that qualifying isn’t our strongest point but I think we’ll take it. It’s probably the furthest we’ve been from the midfield and the closest we’ve been to the front for quite a while, so a step forward.”