With now only five rounds of Formula 1 action remaining this season, Max Verstappen now leads the Championship Standings by 12 points over his closest and only rival, Lewis Hamilton. That is thanks to his most recent win from the Circuit of the America’s that we saw just this Sunday. The two drivers were yet again in a class of their own, and were separated by less than a second when they crossed the finish line. With disappointment and joy across the grid, Wheel2Wheel can now reflect on the events from the weekend, with an eye cast firmly on Mexico, the next race that is around the corner.
Max and Lewis duel at Dutch Lion roars to victory
It was a race that was dominated by two drivers. Hamilton and Verstappen, as mentioned previously, were totally in a class of their own on Sunday. The front two on the grid has swapped places by the first corner, before happening a further three times over the duration of the next 56 laps, as the tactics of both teams was on full show here. The Red Bull was the faster car, but the Mercedes marked 44 made it as difficult a day as it possibly could, and may have been the victor had the race kept going a few more laps. In fact, Lewis was entering DRS range as they crossed the finish line. The title race is now certainly advantage Max, as the “most popular driver”, according to a recent fan survey, leads the standings, albeit narrowly. With Mexico lined up next, Red Bull will be confident their driver can extend that gap as we head into the final home straight for this 2021 season. In recent history, Mexico has been a strong venue for the Bulls, but then again so has Brazil and Abu Dhabi over the last couple of years. One thing that is for sure, Lewis Hamilton has it all to do, to overturn the deficit. If anyone can, however, it is the seven time champion. I’m sure the 2021 Formula 1 World Championship still has twists and turns in store for us.
Thirsty work for Checo as the Mexican scores a podium
I can only imagine how difficult racing a 56 lap race in a Formula 1 car is. However, doing it without a drink, takes it to another level. That is why Sergio Perez deserves extra credit for completing the race whilst remaining totally dry, as he encountered problems with his drink system. It is certainly a welcome podium for both team and driver, with the Mexican hoping for a late charge to third place in the drivers’ standings whereas Red Bull closed the gap to Mercedes in the other battle between the constructors. With less than a fortnight until his home grand prix, at which may be his best ever opportunity to stand on the top step in front of his adoring fans, Perez will be full of confidence.
Red Car. Orange Car. Red Car. Orange Car.
One of the most interesting battles across the weekend was Ferrari v McLaren. With barely anything separating them in the constructor’s standings, that was mirrored by events on the track in Texas. A stunning effort by Charles Leclerc took him to a semi-comfortable yet nevertheless, fantastic, fourth place yet again. With Daniel Ricciardo and Carlos Sainz frantically battling for fifth for multiple laps, it was the Australian who eventually managed to secure the double digit points return for his team. It was a rather more difficult weekend for Lando Norris, who never really was in contention with the others and had to settle for eighth, as a result. A full 32 seconds behind the Ferrari of Leclerc is something the young British driver will be hoping to put behind him, for the next race. In the middle of this pack, Valtteri Bottas found himself in seventh by the culmination of lap 56 and with the penalty he had to serve, this is something of a recovery drive. Regardless, finishing 80 seconds behind his teammate is something the Mercedes team will not want to be repeated, with the constructor’s title still very much resting in the balance.
Double Disappointment for Alpine
It was a day for forget for the French constructor as neither of their cars managed to finish as the team declared a double retirement. Estaban Ocon never seemed to find his groove around Austin whereas Fernando Alonso eventually fell to rear wing issues after dueling with numerous drivers and FIA stewards, alike.
The team have had their highs this season, of course, most noticeably with the victory in Hungary. That being said, the team seem a shadow of their former Renault selves and are still on the lower ends of both championship tables. The pair of drivers are both guaranteed to retain their position on the grid for next season. Here’s hoping, they can build the car and improve its elements, to be a more competitive force next season. Surely the target has to be, a solid fifth overall and consistent points finishes, at least.
Alfa and Alonso battle ‘round the outside, round the outside’…
One of the most intriguing battles of the afternoon was between Antonio Giovinazzi and Kimi Raikkonen against Fernando Alonso. Track limits were a recurring theme over the course of the weekend, most frequently it was turns 6 and 19 where drivers ran wide and has subsequent lap times, deleted. This happened both over the course of race day and qualifying the day before. Nikita Mazepin was even shown the black and white flag, for such infringements.
Regarding such limits, there was a number of incidents between the affotmentioned drivers where they all were guilty of running off the track, at various moments through the Grand Prix itself. Kimi was more forced wide in his initial overtake of the Spanish, Alpine, driver. The French outfit were then further irked when Alonso himself ran wide to overtake the other Alfa Romeo of the Italian. It was then Giovinazzi’s turn to go wide in defence, meaning the debt, in a sense was finally settled with the Spaniards sandwiched in between the Alfa’s.
This midfield scrap was, as previously stated, one of the more fascinating elements of this race, and with a few world championships between them (make that seven if you include Sebastian Vettel in this scrap) we hope for more from now until the end of this current campaign. Especially from Kimi, as he heads into the final five races of his Formula 1 career. A final word on Yuki Tsunoda who yet again defended resolutely to keep his points position. This was especially welcome for Alpha Tauri, with the sister car of Pierre Gasly being forced to retire earlier in the race, after suffering a suspension failure. The Frenchman was a doubt to start at all, as late as quarter of an hour before lights out. Despite the mechanics best efforts, it was all in vain.
WHEEL2WHEEL REPORTS 