WATCH: Lewis Hamilton avoids huge crash at COTA with a 360-degree spin, Gorge Russell also goes off track

In a dramatic start to the Austin GP weekend, Lewis Hamilton endured a high-speed spin during the opening practice session (FP1). The seven-time world champion lost control of his Mercedes in the first sector, specifically at Turn 4, during a direction change while Haas driver Nico Hulkenberg was just on his outside. The incident left fans and pundits alike stunned as Hamilton spun violently, though he managed to keep his car from colliding with any barriers.

The spin raised concerns over the state of Hamilton’s tyres and potential damage to the car’s floor. Speaking over team radio, Hamilton urgently requested the team to “check these damn tyres, and check the floor [for damage]” as he navigated back onto the track. While his car appeared visually intact, the Mercedes mechanics were surely on high alert as they inspected the vehicle after the session.

Here is the video:

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George Russell goes off track also!

Interestingly, this wasn’t an isolated issue for Mercedes. Shortly after Hamilton’s incident, his teammate George Russell also spun out, though at a different corner (Turn 1) and a slower speed. Russell reported that he had experienced a "moment" similar to Hamilton’s, raising eyebrows about the stability of the Mercedes cars. With both drivers struggling with control early in FP1, it was clear that the team had some challenges to address before heading into the later sessions.

Here is the video: 

George Russell also spun in Turn 1!🔁#F1 #Formula1 #USGP pic.twitter.com/P3SXS5lujI

— Extreme Cars (@extremecars__) October 18, 2024

The first practice session at the Circuit of the Americas saw both drivers navigating a tricky track and unpredictable handling, leaving fans wondering if these spins are merely an early-session fluke or if Mercedes is in for a tough weekend. Hamilton's experience, in particular, highlighted the fragility of even the most experienced drivers when faced with a sudden lack of grip.