The speed with which Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes learn from mistakes has been critical in the F1 title raceThe title is long gone for Ferrari and Sebastian Vettel and they know it. Indeed it would be hugely surprising if Lewis Hamilton does not win his fifth championship in Mexico this weekend. Yet for Vettel and the Scuderia presenting a coherent and constructive challenge for the last three races could be cause for optimism in a season when they have let the championship slip away.After showing strong pace at the US Grand Prix, where Kimi Räikkönen won and Vettel believed he had the speed to do the same but for his grid penalty and spin, Ferrari seem to have found their...
Former world champion’s typically forthright reaction after US Grand Prix reveals frustration of five-year wait for victoryKimi Räikkönen is clearly a popular winner and there was a sense of relief that in his fifth year since rejoining Ferrari he returned his first win for the team in his second stint. It was a long time coming, 2,044 days since his last victory, for Lotus at the 2013 Australian Grand Prix. “Fucking finally” was the Finn’s typically forthright reaction. He had earned it, with a perfectly executed drive begun by beating Lewis Hamilton through turn one. Ferrari may have dispensed with his services next season but the US Grand Prix proved that Sauber will have a driver still able to bring...
Briton and his team wanted to close it out in Austin but Ferrari’s superior strategy meant his late charge came to nothingHaving crushed any challenge from Ferrari in the second half of the season, Lewis Hamilton might have been expected to complete a simple denouement to secure his fifth title at the US Grand Prix.The fight we were denied for the title, however – which will still surely be decided in Hamilton’s favour at the next round in Mexico – was at least rescued by a thrilling, dramatic race in Austin, racing that would be welcomed at any round, championship decider or not. Related: Kimi Räikkönen makes Lewis Hamilton wait for F1 title with US GP win Continue reading...
A fifth world title would confirm the British driver as not only the best of his generation but as one of the all-time greatsPerhaps, when Lewis Hamilton has his fifth Formula One world championship secured, he might allow himself to reflect on just how far he has come. The boy from Stevenage who loved karting is now a man breathing the rarefied air at the very top of his sport. If he closes out the title at Sunday’s US Grand Prix, the celebrations will be long and loud. He will deserve every moment, his performance this year should be acknowledged as capping one of the great modern sporting achievements. Related: Lewis Hamilton holds off Ferraris to seal pole position for...
Lewis Hamilton’s victory in Russia was not ideal but nor was it a repeat of Austria 2002. The Scuderia have much to ponderThe spectre of Austria 2002 continues to hang over every instance of teams employing orders. When Ferrari made Rubens Barrichello move over for Michael Schumacher it was a decision of such cynical overkill it rightly remains infamous. At that point the season was only five races old, Schumacher had won four of them and had twice as many points as his nearest challenger, Juan Pablo Montoya. It was simply unnecessary. Team orders were banned afterwards but it was a rule that proved unenforceable and since 2011 they have been legal. In Russia Mercedes’ decision to make Valtteri Bottas...