Max will win this - Merc cocked up strategy by allowing the undercut. Verstappen done a good job in this stint and Lewis not enough of a pace delta and lost pace in the dirty air.
Cracking race. Shame about the result. I feel sorry for people who find this boring.
The tactical side of the race today really made up for the lack of overtakes
Absolutely. So glad my wifi held up enough to watch it (albeit a bit buffery). There was a moment where I think Mercedes may have missed an opportunity - when Hamilton caught Tsunoda, Raikonnen and Alonso who were all concentrating on their own battle, I thought they may bring him in. He was always likely to get held up by them and so it proved. If he’d come in, it would’ve reduced the benefit of the younger tyres by 2 or 3 laps, but he would’ve come out 3 seconds closer to Verstappen with more laps to play with.
I dunno, maybe would’ve made no difference - these guys know what they’re doing far more than I do, but I was wondering if he lost the race right there when he lost 1.5 seconds in that lap trying to get past those three.
But I do think they threw everything at this season to win it. Merc have in comparison barely developed the car this season with an eye on the regs change in 2022.
I think they may have gone all in this season - and next year may be a bit of a shock.
Typical America!! - Having Shaq O'Neal turning up in some horrid car with the trophy and then standing up on the balcony and nearly as tall as Verstappen without actually standing on the podium
But I do think they threw everything at this season to win it. Merc have in comparison barely developed the car this season with an eye on the regs change in 2022.
I think they may have gone all in this season - and next year may be a bit of a shock.
Think you may be right. And I hope so.
I don’t have anything against Red Bull as a team per se, and I admire Verstappen as a driver - he’s a generational talent - but I do have an issue with Christian Horner and with Verstappen’s attitude.
They have a bullshit, snidey, whingey, entitled approach that raises my hackles every time.
I’d find it very pleasing if they ended up with nothing this year despite throwing the kitchen sink at it, and then had to rebuild next year.
I’ve no doubt Verstappen will be a (probably multiple) world champion and a great one at that. I just don’t want him to win it yet. He’s still very young and has time on his side. I’d like to see him learn a little humility first.
And I’d rather Horner just fucked off with Ginger Spice and left us all alone. 😂
Made it clear before on here I’m no fan of Verstappen but fair play that was a great drive from him today. Hamilton probably needed two more laps and I think he might have got him but Verstappen judged it very well to look after the tires. A very good effort from Lewis too. I think Red Bull will probably get the championship over the line from here, but Mercedes while tying one hand behind their own back through halting car development, have still shown today that they and Hamilton can and will push them all the way.
Made it clear before on here I’m no fan of Verstappen but fair play that was a great drive from him today. Hamilton probably needed two more laps and I think he might have got him but Verstappen judged it ever well to look after the tires. A very good effort from Lewis too. I think Red Bull will probably get the championship over the line from here, but Mercedes while tying one hand behind their own back through halting car development, have still shown today that they and Hamilton can and will push them all the way.
A fantastic season.
Agree with all of this, but the bold bit in particular. It’s been terrific.
Mexico should be a Red Bull win , but would love for it to be Checo winning. That Baseball Stadium would absolutely erupt.
Could be interesting if Checo is leading Verstappen at the end.
Red Bull would really want to give the win to Max, but giving team orders to Checo to give the win up would be the worst kind of PR in Mexico.
Exactly, moving Checo aside at his home race would be an absolute PR gaff of the highest order from Red Bull. I think you'd just have to bank the points and tell Max to hold station.
Mexico should be a Red Bull win , but would love for it to be Checo winning. That Baseball Stadium would absolutely erupt.
Could be interesting if Checo is leading Verstappen at the end.
Red Bull would really want to give the win to Max, but giving team orders to Checo to give the win up would be the worst kind of PR in Mexico.
Exactly, moving Checo aside at his home race would be an absolute PR gaff of the highest order from Red Bull. I think you'd just have to bank the points and tell Max to hold station.
Honestly don't think they'd care. Horner has said they'd rather win the drivers championship as "no one remembers who wins the constructors". Between him and Marko bending over for Max & Jos, if they see the chance to further extend the lead for Max, they'll take it.
They won't explicitly say it over team radio mind. Team orders would have been set out from before the race...You only have to look at how Checo yielded to Max on the first lap yesterday to know that's the case.
would all depend on where LH was, if he was third (and probably fourth) then id fully expect team orders but any lower and I reckon they'd let him see out the home victory
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edit I was wrong, 18 laps is a hell of a long time to overturn an 8s lead
So glad my wifi held up enough to watch it (albeit a bit buffery).
There was a moment where I think Mercedes may have missed an opportunity - when Hamilton caught Tsunoda, Raikonnen and Alonso who were all concentrating on their own battle, I thought they may bring him in. He was always likely to get held up by them and so it proved. If he’d come in, it would’ve reduced the benefit of the younger tyres by 2 or 3 laps, but he would’ve come out 3 seconds closer to Verstappen with more laps to play with.
I dunno, maybe would’ve made no difference - these guys know what they’re doing far more than I do, but I was wondering if he lost the race right there when he lost 1.5 seconds in that lap trying to get past those three.
But I do think they threw everything at this season to win it. Merc have in comparison barely developed the car this season with an eye on the regs change in 2022.
I think they may have gone all in this season - and next year may be a bit of a shock.
I don’t have anything against Red Bull as a team per se, and I admire Verstappen as a driver - he’s a generational talent - but I do have an issue with Christian Horner and with Verstappen’s attitude.
I’ve no doubt Verstappen will be a (probably multiple) world champion and a great one at that. I just don’t want him to win it yet. He’s still very young and has time on his side. I’d like to see him learn a little humility first.
This will go all the way and I expect possibly a DNF decides it.
They won't explicitly say it over team radio mind. Team orders would have been set out from before the race...You only have to look at how Checo yielded to Max on the first lap yesterday to know that's the case.