Las Vegas Grand Prix – The Editorial’s Hits and Misses

From a brilliant George Russell to absent McLarens to a half top, half flop Lewis Hamilton, here's who scored points in Vegas and who lost them.

Logo Mi mini
Rédigé par Par
Commenter

Top

Max Verstappen, the fourth in a row

When we know Max Verstappen and the stratospheric level he has been showing for the past three years, it is difficult to think that we could classify him in the top after a fifth place unworthy of his standing. But that would be ignoring the past few months. This result illustrates in one race the previous twenty of an unparalleled season. The Dutchman was crowned world champion thanks to this fifth position, which allows him to join Alain Prost and Sebastian Vettel in the record books. Most of all, he once again maximized the car that Red Bull provided him, whose real performance was probably more behind the McLarens, in 7th or 8th place. The champion did what he does best: build a palace with a box of nails. Three weeks after the display at Interlagos, Max Verstappen showed another side: that of a fine manager who has managed his season from A to Z to now have more of an advantage over Lando Norris than after the Miami Grand Prix, the first step in Red Bull’s decline, but not for Super Max, who reigns more than ever at the top of his sport.

George Russell, his most beautiful victory

Saying “his greatest victory” when talking about George Russell is not very significant. The Briton only achieved his third success in Las Vegas, but what a triumph! The Mercedes driver was simply untouchable from Friday night onwards: first in free practice 3, then setting the pole on Saturday, he shone on Sunday by starting well and never losing the lead. He reminds everyone that he is having a monstrous season where he could already have three victories if it weren’t for an unfortunate disqualification in Belgium. King George has conquered Las Vegas.

Nico Hülkenberg and Yuki Tsunoda, the best of the others

In their own championship, they are fighting for the world champion title. Yuki Tsunoda and Nico Hülkenberg have been the two best drivers from the back-of-the-grid teams since the beginning of the season. The German achieved his tenth Q3 in 21 qualifications, an impressive number. Starting ninth, he managed to finish eighth to bring four vital points to Haas in the battle for 6th place in the constructors’ championship. Hülkenberg’s consistent performance is allowing Haas to have its best season in ages. On the Racing Bulls side, Yuki Tsunoda also managed to stay in the points by finishing 9th, starting from 7th. The Japanese driver clearly outperformed his teammate Liam Lawson throughout the weekend to secure a top 10 finish for the second consecutive weekend. Well done!

The sublime race of Lewis Hamilton

Starting 10th and finishing 2nd, there’s no denying it, hats off. Lewis Hamilton has well deserved his spot in our top for his outstanding Sunday. Three weeks after Brazil, where his post-race statements exuded weariness and resignation, the seven-time world champion came back more determined than ever to sweep away any doubts about his future by setting the best time in both free practice sessions on Friday. His Saturday (see below) compromised his weekend, but Hamilton perfectly made up for his misfortunes by swiftly climbing back up during the race. Victory was within reach but when George Russell felt his teammate breathing down his neck, he accelerated enough to preserve his lead.

Flop

The qualification of Lewis Hamilton

This is where the rub is for Sir Lewis Hamilton. A driver of his caliber cannot afford to have such a binary weekend. In reality, Lewis Hamilton’s three days in Nevada were excellent. His only moment of hesitation occurred during the 12 minutes of Q3. The Brit made a rookie mistake by failing on both of his timed laps. Unable to set a time, he condemned himself to starting 10th and watching his teammate celebrate his pole, a sign of the Mercedes’ performance this weekend. Naturally, we cannot help but question ourselves. What if Hamilton had started higher on the grid, would he have won? Maybe, but because of this poor qualifying, we will never know, much to the delight of George Russell.

McLaren and Lando Norris, beaten without glory

Let’s be clear, putting Lando Norris in the category of flops is harsh and undeserved. But the Briton also pays for his failures of the season, because, despite all of Verstappen’s talent, it is hardly conceivable that the title is wrapped up two races before the end. Norris missed his chance and this weekend epitomizes it well: car number 4 was unable to make his single-seater overperform to at least finish 5th, ahead of his rival and thus postpone the deadline a little. The Briton had an anonymous weekend, plagued by a single-seater that didn’t like the cold weather and lack of grip on the track. Oscar Piastri’s Grand Prix was even worse. Penalized from the start for missing his grid slot, the Australian was invisible. The papaya team maintains a 24-point lead over Ferrari in the constructors’ standings, but the title is far from being secured. Be careful not to let it slip away at the last moment while Woking has been waiting to savor this victory again since 1998.

Alpine, from laughter to tears

The wave of happiness spread by Pierre Gasly and Esteban Ocon’s double podium in Las Vegas was supposed to fade away this weekend, as in Formula 1 the only race that matters is the next one as the drivers like to remind us. But Pierre Gasly didn’t see it that way, offering an extra dose of happiness to his team. Brilliantly third in qualifying, the Normandy driver delivered an exceptional performance that deserved to be rewarded with big points on Sunday. Unfortunately, his team didn’t match his efforts. His engine failed him, which is becoming increasingly rare in modern F1. Number 10 had to retire, inevitably very disappointed.

Especially since the nightmare was total for Alpine, which also ruined Esteban Ocon’s race. The Frenchman, starting 11th, could also aim for points, but his team called him to the pits while no mechanic had come out! The future Haas driver therefore crossed the pit lane, penalizing himself with a very costly drive-through penalty in time, before returning the next lap for his actual stop. He finishes 17th because of this team error. Because of this, Alpine (49 points) was overtaken by Haas (50 points) while Racing Bulls is lurking (46 points). The French would rather not make this kind of mistakes if they want to keep sixth place in the constructors’ standings and the 30 million euros that come with it.

Partager Tweeter Partager Envoyer
Votre commentaire

Vous recevrez un e-mail de vérification pour publier votre commentaire.

News

Plus d'actualités
Le 17/08, 12:57

50 years ago, Vittorio Brambilla’s unique and crazy victory in Austria

50 years ago, Vittorio Brambilla’s unique and crazy victory in Austria
Le 16/08, 15:32

Video: Haas demonstrates at Fuji with Ryo Hirakawa

Video: Haas demonstrates at Fuji with Ryo Hirakawa
Le 16/08, 13:39

What if Spa-Francorchamps pulled off a major coup to host Formula 1 in 2028 and 2030?

What if Spa-Francorchamps pulled off a major coup to host Formula 1 in 2028 and 2030?
Le 15/08, 16:13

Mick Schumacher at Cadillac: a growing rumor

Mick Schumacher at Cadillac: a growing rumor

Actus

Toutes les actualités
Le 17/08, 12:57

50 years ago, Vittorio Brambilla’s unique and crazy victory in Austria

50 years ago, Vittorio Brambilla’s unique and crazy victory in Austria
Le 16/08, 16:06

WEC drivers take on the Ardennes during the 4 Hours of Spa

WEC drivers take on the Ardennes during the 4 Hours of Spa
Le 16/08, 15:47

BMW to extend its WEC and IMSA adventure

BMW to extend its WEC and IMSA adventure
Le 16/08, 15:32

Video: Haas demonstrates at Fuji with Ryo Hirakawa

Video: Haas demonstrates at Fuji with Ryo Hirakawa
Le 16/08, 13:39

What if Spa-Francorchamps pulled off a major coup to host Formula 1 in 2028 and 2030?

What if Spa-Francorchamps pulled off a major coup to host Formula 1 in 2028 and 2030?
Le 15/08, 16:13

Mick Schumacher at Cadillac: a growing rumor

Mick Schumacher at Cadillac: a growing rumor
Haut
Motorsinside English
Powered by  GDPR Cookie Compliance
Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.