LEWIS HAMILTON has apologised for not winning the US Grand Prix after he was overtaken by Max Verstappen.
A nailbiting finale saw the Dutch champion pass his old title rival with six laps to go.
Hamilton had looked set for his first win of the season after keeping pace with Verstappen and then pouncing into the lead after the Red Bull driver had a slow pitstop.
But the seven-times world champion fell just short and struggled to hide his disappointment in his post-race interview.
He told Sky Sports: “Sorry I couldn’t get the win, I gave it absolutely everything.
“I mean I don’t know, I can’t put in words how much it would mean to the team.
“Especially with everything that’s going on, everything that’s happened in the last race last year.
“Then what’s what’s happened this year in terms of our performance, and then what’s happened with all the news and everything, so I mean to get a win would be a huge triumph for us all and hugely rewarding.”
Hamilton has three races left to try and nab his first win and keep up his extraordinary record of being victorious in each F1 season he has competed in.
The Brit has won at least one race on the calendar since his debut in 2007 and will look to claim victory in Mexico, Brazil or Abu Dhabi.
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But he is not optimistic about his chances.
It’s been a frustrating season for the driver with Mercedes failing to adapt to the drastic rule changes in the sport.
But after the issues in the opening races, the German manufacturer has looked far more competitive with Hamilton and George Russell raking in podiums.
But race wins have proven to be just beyond the capabilities of the car with Verstappen taking 13 victories.
It equals the record held by Sebastian Vettel for Red Bull and Michael Schumacher for Ferrari for most wins in a season.
