Max Verstappen again. The dominance of the Flying Dutchman in Formula One is becoming a nightmare not only for his opponents, but also for those, excluding Dutch fans, who would like to experience different emotions at least for once. Instead, the script was the same in Austin too, so the three-time world champion achieved the 50th success of his career and the 15th of the season, equaling in the latter case a record that already belonged to him from last season.
In short, this weekend with the world titles already decided, the constructors’ title already won by Red Bull in Suzuka and the drivers’ title won for the third time in a row by Verstappen in Lusail, there were few emotions, in the name of supremacy overwhelming, which however also risks destroying interest in the highest category of motor racing. Verstappen is the Cannibal of F1, even if in this circumstance he tried to annoy him who was ‘destroying’ his opponents before him, namely the seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, whose Mercedes, however, is currently ‘normal’ and therefore little he can do against the Red Bull of the orange champion. The Briton was also disqualified together with Leclerc for a technical infringement.
But at least today fans can try to console themselves by thinking that if Mercedes had brought forward the first stop, they probably would have been able to play for the victory or at least put more effort into Verstappen than usual, who won in Texas despite starting from sixth place on the grid. The decisive moment of his race arrived on lap number 28 of the 56 scheduled, then halfway through the race, when the Dutch ace launched his attack on Norris braking into turn 12, at the end of the long straight: perfect move on the part of the Red Bull driver, who passed inside. And Norris himself, in the end, was one of the winners of the day, because he held his ground and in the end went on to the podium, third after being overtaken by a Hamilton who was really ‘on the ball’ today.
And the Ferraris? They finished in fourth and sixth place respectively, with Sainz and Leclerc (later disqualified), giving the impression that, at least in the case of the Monegasque, they could do something more. Instead, on lap 50 he gave in to his teammate and then, finding himself in difficulty, he also had to give way to Sergio Perez, to the delight of the numerous Mexican supporters present on the Austin circuit. Where there had been, previously and when it was night in Italy, also the sprint race, which ended as the grand prix would end: first Verstappen, second Hamilton. The best of the lot, but one still has to say “how boring”.
Reproduction reserved © Copyright ANSA
2023-10-23 01:10:39
#Max #Verstappen #wins #United #States
