Did Lando throw away maiden win in Austin?

By Joe Murphy

I couldn’t have been the only one who thought this? Lando was three seconds behind Max with around twenty laps to go. The caveat is that the Brit didn’t have to stop again, whereas the World Champion, having run two sets of the same compound, did.

Instead, what we witnessed was Lando box, giving Max the opportunity to put a lap later. I understand it was an attempt to undercut but did McLaren need to do this? No. Ultimately, it should have cost them second if it wasn’t for Lewis Hamilton’s subsequent disqualification. It is this writers opinion that had Lando stayed out, Max would have had to pit and would have come out around twenty seconds behind the McLaren man. This gap would have closed, but that is one hell of a gap to close in less than two dozen laps.

It goes to show, however, just how far McLaren have come. Lando got another second place finish to add to his collection and fans are disappointed. Well, this fan is. That illusive first win might well be just around the corner, but you can’t help feel this is a missed opportunity.

Instead, the Max Verstappen victory train rolls on. I arguably know the Dutch national anthem more than my own one at this moment in time. However, Lando is getting closer. Mercedes are getting closer. All we can do is pray for a closer gap in 2024.