What the heck …
Sixteen races are over, with six more races: The final sprint begins in the United States on Sunday evening at the end of Formula 1 season. Max Verstappen reached the Circuit of America in Austin as World Cup captain, but with Lewis Hamilton six points behind, the title battle is still open. The Texas round was where Hamilton has often celebrated in the past: he has already won five times and captured his third and sixth world titles in 2015 and 2019.
Mercedes started the weekend in Austin as a blister on Friday, but it was the Red Bull who got involved in the party on Saturday. Verstappen took the pole position more than Hamilton, and Sergio Perez took third. This provided perspectives for the energy drink maker, as the second Mercedes driver, Valteri Potos, was only allowed to exit the ninth due to a mechanical change.
How did the beginning go?
Considering they clashed in Great Britain and Italy at the start of this season, it was to look forward to Verstappen and Hamilton in Turn 1, where there would always be some push-and-pull, especially at the start. That is also the case now, but the title ended well for both competitors. Hamilton got off to a great start and dived at Verstappen, who went wide, but retained his second place.
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Things went a little less behind the two. Lance Stroll (Austen Martin) and Nicholas Latiffe (Williams) of Canada, who were running halfway through the home race in Austin, clashed. Nikita Masebin of the American Haas team also got into trouble: she had to make a bit stop soon.
How did the success come about?
The United States Grand Prix, like many races at the start of this season, provided tactical justification. Max Verstappen was one of the best drivers to get new tires in the early stages. Louis Hamilton waited a few more rounds and Verstappen took the lead using his new rubber.
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In the second series of bit stops, on the 29th floor of the 56th, Verstappen was the first to dive. Verstappen’s teammate Perez was already trailing, so Hamilton went out for more time and took his second place. Hamilton eventually arrived to get the new tires on Lap 37, and was able to completely chase Verstappen in the final stage.
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It was not easy because Hamilton had to close the gap to almost ten seconds with his Dutch rival. With his new tires, the seven-time world champion was able to get a little closer. With eight laps, the difference was reduced to less than two seconds, but Hamilton could not get close enough to actually hit Verstop. The Dutchman recorded his eighth victory of the year and doubled his lead at the World Cup by twelve points over Hamilton.
How high was the value of the glass?
Behind Ruffs Verstappen and Hamilton, there was something to experience in the battle for third place in the Constructors rankings. McLaren and Ferrari have been fighting for this all season, and in the states this has been well reflected in the heated fight between Daniel Ricciardo (McLaren) and Carlos Science Jr. (Ferrari). The latter was on Ricardo’s tail for most of the race, but he was never able to overtake decisively – even though he was once very close.
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However, the midfield man was Charles Leklerk, who finished just seconds behind third-placed Sergio Perez. Ricciardo finished fifth ahead of Voltaire Potas, who ran the pale race in the second Mercedes. Carlos Science, Lando Norris (McLaren), Yuki Sunoda (Alfadouri) and Sebastian Vettel (Aston Martin) scored the last points.
Fernando Alonso did not make it to the final, but the Spaniard entertained again. Kimi R்கikknen had to go beyond the boundaries of the track to overtake him – Alonso did not allow it – and was not penalized, while Alonso lavishly overtook Antonio Giovinci outside the track. A mockery of maids right now? In the end it did not work out because the Spaniard retired late with a broken rear wing in the race.
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What do we remember from this race?
That Max Verstappen had a significant success. Mercedes was announced in advance as an option in the Circuit of America, but instead Louis Hamilton sees his backlog expanding. Also two races in Mexico (November 7) and Brazil (November 14) should match Red Bull better on paper. Work to be done for the seven-time world champion!
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