Max leads the battle of the Americas

USA GP

Mexican GP

São Paulo GP

THIS THREE-RACE RUN, WITH just three more to go, put a very different complexion on the championship contest. Coming in, Max Verstappen was just six points clear of Lewis Hamilton whose Mercedes appeared to be in the ascendant. In Austin and Mexico that performance picture was turned on its head as Verstappen extended his lead to 19 points, comfortably beating Hamilton both times. With Mercedes down on performance, carrying an engine reliability concern and now many points down with not many races left, it wasn’t looking good. But a new power unit for Brazil combined with the particular demands of the Interlagos track completely transformed those prospects and Hamilton delivered one of the most dazzling – and unlikely – victories of his long career. He left Brazil still trailing Verstappen by 14 points but very much back in contention in this remarkable seasonal narrative.

Things started well for Hamilton and Mercedes on the first day of running at Austin when Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas were 1-2 in first practice, well clear of Verstappen. But that picture flattered Mercedes and was simply a reflection of the