Hamilton USGP misery continues with early exit

Lewis Hamilton's wretched United States Grand Prix weekend continued as the seven-time F1 champion retired in the opening laps.

The Mercedes driver has long enjoyed this event, and is a big fan favourite, but this was a few days he will want to forget in a hurry.

Hamilton suffered a suspension issue during the sprint and was only sixth, 19 seconds behind race-winner Max Verstappen in his Red Bull.

In the qualifying session that followed, and after qualifying in the top five in all 11 previous races at this track, Hamilton made an error at Turn 12 that resulted in him starting 17th on the grid.

Hamilton, though, enjoyed a superb opening lap as he made up five places and was running in 12th. But into Turn 19 on lap three, he spun on his hard tyres and beached his car in the gravel.

The incident sparked a short safety car period, with Ferrari's Charles Leclerc leading ahead of Verstappen, with Carlos Sainz in his Ferrari third, and McLaren's Lando Norris fourth.