Lewis Hamilton delivered a strong performance in the United States Grand Prix Sprint, finishing fourth and overtaking his Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc, marking his best result since the Silverstone round. The seven-time world champion demonstrated sharp racecraft and resilience in a chaotic opening phase of the race.
Lewis Hamilton had started from eighth on the grid, just ahead of Leclerc in ninth, but the dynamics of the Sprint quickly changed when the McLarens tangled with Sauber’s Nico Hulkenberg and Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso. Lewis Hamilton gained three positions in the resulting shuffle but temporarily fell behind his Maranello teammate. A rare error from the Monegasque driver, however, opened the door for Lewis Hamilton to engage in a head-to-head battle.
Using the DRS effectively, the British driver managed to overtake Charles Leclerc, though he could not close in on the Williams of Carlos Sainz for the final podium spot. The late deployment of a second safety car likely hindered his chances for a top-three finish.
Charles Leclerc remains sportsmanlike after being passed by Hamilton
After the Sprint, Charles Leclerc acknowledged to Sky Sports that it was preferable for Hamilton to pass him rather than a competitor from another team, keeping Ferrari’s points intact. Charles Leclerc’s error occurred when his car snapped into oversteer through the sweeping first sector, causing him to run wide. Although he initially defended the line, he could not resist Lewis Hamilton on the DRS straight.
Despite his commanding head-to-head record at Ferrari, Leclerc was beaten by Hamilton in both Sprint sessions at COTA. He admitted that the mistake at turn five and six cost him valuable momentum, allowing Hamilton to capitalize immediately after.
Leclerc reflected that it was better to lose the position to his teammate than risk losing points to another car, emphasizing the importance of maintaining the points within Ferrari.
Race experts and former drivers praise Hamilton’s overtaking skills
Commentators highlighted Hamilton’s tactical precision during the move. Karun Chandhok, analyzing the maneuver for Sky, explained that Hamilton executed a perfect setup by taking a tighter line through turn 11 and threading his SF-25 through a narrow gap as Charles Leclerc defended the inside. This clean overtake showcased Hamilton’s ability to seize opportunities while respecting his teammate’s racing line.
Karun Chandhok detailed: “Lewis positions his car perfectly, refrains from forcing the move in the initial sector, and times his attack with slipstream and DRS activation. Leclerc left just enough space, a single car’s width, which Hamilton capitalized on cleanly. It was a textbook maneuver on a level playing field.”
Former world champion Jenson Button also praised Lewis Hamilton’s confidence, particularly in braking zones, which has been a key improvement compared to earlier in the season. Overtaking a teammate of Leclerc’s caliber, Button noted, is always a significant confidence boost, reflecting the seven-time Formula 1 world champion’s regained form after a challenging 2025 season.
Button added: “The move was brilliant. The DRS worked perfectly, and Lewis showed incredible confidence to position the car alongside and outbrake Charles. This is exactly the type of performance that can reignite momentum for him and for Ferrari in the Sprint races.”
Lewis Hamilton’s strategic and confident driving in the Sprint at COTA demonstrates his ability to extract maximum performance from the SF-25, showing that even in a tough season, the seven-time champion remains a formidable competitor capable of delivering decisive on-track results for Ferrari.
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