Max vs. Lewis - Recap: 2022 U.S GP
In one of the most action-packed races of the season, Max Verstappen came from behind to deny Lewis Hamilton his win first win.
Max Verstappen made a persuasive case that the season is still worth watching, even if the titles are already clinched.
Starting in P2, Max jumped ahead of Carlos Sainz at the start and built an early lead. Lewis Hamilton was able to stay within DRS range for a bit, but couldn’t close the gap.
But on Lap 35, a Red Bull tyre gun failed and Max languished for 11 seconds during his second pit stop, allowing both Hamilton and Charles Leclerc to pass.
Despite understandable frustration, Max put his head down and charged forward. He passed Leclerc after a short battle, then ran Hamilton down and overtook him with just six laps remaining.
Not just a strong showing for Max, this was another flex for the quality of the RB18 - specifically how well Red Bull has managed tyre degradation with this car.Â
Mercedes appeared to have a possible strategy edge when Lewis pitted for Hard tyres (still in the lead) and Max switched to Mediums. Max would be able to close the gap on the softer compound, but would his tyres maintain grip long enough to last to the end? They did, and it looked relatively easy. Max chased down Lewis and made the pass, making his Medium tyres last just as long as Lewis’s Hards. This is yet another example of how Red Bull nailing the aerodynamics of the new regulations has set them apart.
Sergio Perez finished an impressive P4 after early contact with Valtteri Bottas caused some damage.
With this weekend’s result, Red Bull clinched their first constructor’s title since 2013. The double title celebration was dulled by mourning for Red Bull’s late founder, Dietrich Mateschitz. Dietrich founded the Red Bull Racing team along with many other extreme sports ventures and had a massive footprint in the past twenty years of F1.
Lewis Hamilton nearly secured his first win of the season in a bounce-back race for Mercedes.
Lewis qualified well, started well, hung on behind Max for the early part of the race, and didn’t commit a single error down the stretch as he tried to hold the lead. He did just about everything he could, but this Mercedes is just not fast enough to beat this Red Bull straight up.
George Russell locked up while braking into Turn 1 (likely in an attempt to pass his own teammate) and hit Carlos Sainz Ferrari as it exited the same corner, finishing Sainz’s race instantly. George only received a five-second penalty for it and was able to recover to P5 for a solid finish.
It was encouraging to see Mercedes making aggressive strategy calls and going for the win. If they can make some improvements next year, it could be fun to see Mercedes as the challenger trying to throw everything it can at Red Bull.
Ferrari had a disappointing overall finish for how dominant they were in Qualifying.
Carlos Sainz had great pace throughout qualifying and beat Max out for pole position, but Max out-dragged him down the opening straight. Carlos tried to take the outside line and position himself for the cutback but hung on the outside of the track just long enough for Russell to hit him. It was another chapter in a generally forgettable year for the Spaniard.
Charles Leclerc started P12 after an engine penalty and worked his way up the grid to finish on the podium.Â
Other Notes:
Lando Norris started and finished in P6 for another solid weekend in an overall disappointing McLaren car.
Sebastian Vettel was near the top five for much of the race in a surprisingly fast Aston Martin, but a botched pit stop sent him back to P13. Undeterred, Seb sliced through the field in the final laps to finish P7.
Kevin Magnussen and Haas gambled with a one-stop strategy and cashed in with a P8 finish.
Yuki Tsunoda finished in the points for the first time since Spain in May.
Esteban Ocon carved up the backmarkers from his P17 start to grab the final point in P10.
Lance Stroll caused a scary crash with Fernando Alonso.
Stroll swerved late as Alonso passed him on the left and the Alpine slammed into the rear of the Aston Martin, sending the front of Alonso’s car airborne into a wheelie.Â
Stroll’s car was wrecked and he DNF’d, but Alonso was somehow able to stay out on track, fighting his way back for a P7 finish (before the penalty).
Haas protested Alonso’s driving with damage and Alonso received a 30-second post-race penalty.Â
It’s understandable why Haas would protest: Kevin Magnussen has been forced to stop for damage multiple times this season.
