The Australian showed touches of real quality to win in Shanghai but Max Verstappen is still making mistakesDaniel Ricciardo’s skill at overtaking was never in doubt but his remarkable performance in China was confirmation of just how far he is willing to go. “I know what I can do in the car,” he said before the Australian Grand Prix. “Even if there is a 10% possibility then I am going to do it.” He made good on this promise with aplomb in Shanghai. His pass on Lewis Hamilton was a perfect combination of timing and late-braking but the move on Valtteri Bottas was something else. Ricciardo knew the win was within his grasp but where other drivers may have been...
Daniel Ricciardo and Max Verstappen showed Red Bull can be a force while Fernando Alonso gave McLaren reason to be cheerful Related: Australian Grand Prix: Sebastian Vettel wins F1 opener with Lewis Hamilton second Continue reading...
The Briton had to be at his best to shake off his Ferrari rival and seal fourth title; Force India and Max Verstappen showed mettle; changes needed in 2018Lewis Hamilton produced an exceptional performance to secure his fourth – and what he admitted was his most challenging and most rewarding – title. With competition from Sebastian Vettel in a Ferrari that was at least on a par with the Mercedes and at certain circuits the better car, the British driver had to be at his best and successfully bring together every facet of his craft. Hamilton had to cope with a demanding car, struggling to find set-up and with the pressure of being behind until the 13th round. Major errors...
After two grands prix wins this season, the young and fearless Red Bull driver has shown the conviction to be challenging soon for the F1 world titleFor a young driver in his third season in Formula One and just out of his teens, it might seem an unfeasibly early time to be anointing Max Verstappen as a future world champion. Yet within hours of ensuring his own position among the greats with a fourth title, Lewis Hamilton singled out the 20-year-old as the future of F1. It was a champion’s endorsement of a champion in waiting, one who firmly believes he is ready to take over from the old guard. Related: Max Verstappen: ‘My biggest critic is my dad. Everything...
The Briton knows how to play the game and stay out of trouble as he progresses to the threshold of another drivers’ crown with his triumph in AustinDespite being beaten off the line by Sebastian Vettel Lewis Hamilton once again displayed the composure and race craft that has all but secured his fourth Formula One world championship. There was no problem with the British driver’s start but Vettel had it hooked up exceptionally well and had the inside line going into turn one. Hamilton went to squeeze him but recognised he could not hold the place and avoided any potentially race-ending contact. The contrast with Vettel’s reaction to being jumped by Max Verstappen in Singapore could not be clearer. The...