The paddock was grappling with the effects of jet lag even before the commencement of on-track activities in Las Vegas. However, the challenges escalated when a loose water valve cover disrupted Friday’s running, necessitating all 20 drivers to regroup and reenter their cars at an early 2:30 am local time for an extended 90-minute FP2 session.
Hamilton’s shut-eye was captured by Checo, who duly posted the footage to his Instagram story with the caption: “Someone has some jet lag,” along with a laughing emoji.
The lingering fatigue stemming from this unexpected schedule adjustment naturally spilled over into the events on Saturday. The strain became notably evident when Lewis Hamilton, evidently overwhelmed by exhaustion, succumbed to sleep during the drivers’ briefing preceding FP3. The demanding circumstances and disrupted routine seemed to have taken a toll on the drivers, including the seven-time world champion.
Hamilton shared the video on his personal story, humorously captioning it with “Beauty sleep,” and the Mercedes social media administrator joined in with the quip “Just resting my eyes.”
Sergio Perez’s caption playfully referenced Hamilton’s earlier statements during the weekend. Despite fellow drivers voicing concerns about the effects of jet lag, the seven-time world champion had confidently asserted that he wasn’t experiencing any issues.
When questioned about the challenges leading up to on-track activities, Hamilton commented, “I personally haven’t found it [jet lag] a problem. Still manage to keep training and I feel great.”
