.png "os2 trasparenza (1)")
Air of a showman. Huge cross earring, massive crucifix around the neck, intellectual-style glasses, and the usual excessive passion for social media, as he just can't resist in front of journalists. Instead of listening to their questions, he prefers to entertain himself with his phone or hand it over to Grosjean, to be captured in a souvenir photo with Vettel for the benefit of his many fans. Hamilton seems to have his head in the clouds, but when reminded that the championship is slipping away, he forcefully returns to the track with his feet firmly inside his Mercedes. He knows he can't afford any more mistakes, that he has to push hard, obliged to confirm his dominance in Austin, a circuit where he has won three out of four editions. He knows that for the comeback, 33 points behind Rosberg, a miracle is needed, but he firmly believes in it.
"I am aware that not everything depends on me, that I also need some mistakes from my rival or some issues with his car. With four races left, winning alone wouldn't be enough to secure the title. But I can't put additional pressure on myself, so my approach is always the same. Go fast, give my best, beat everyone, starting with Rosberg. I arrived in Austin well in advance, I like the circuit, fantastic layout, the track is exciting and suits my characteristics. Let's start winning here. If I can do that, I am convinced that any discussion can be reopened".
He swears to have overcome the small foot problem that prevented him from participating in the Pirelli tests for the 2017 season.
"My physiotherapist told me everything is okay, and I trust him. I feel no pain, I am fit, ready to fight. Many races went wrong this year, I am convinced that if I hadn't had problems with the car, the standings would be completely different now. Despite this, I am ready to behave like a man and applaud Rosberg if he wins the World Championship. Every driver believes he is the strongest, and I am no exception, but I admit that if he were to triumph, I would be the first to say he deserves it. Then I would turn the page and be ready to start again, to come back stronger next year. I've heard rumors that I want to take a sabbatical year: it's not true at all. If I decide to stop, I would do it forever. But the time has not come yet".
Instead, he would like the time to come for Ferrari to return to victory with Sebastian Vettel, but even in Austin, it doesn't seem to harbor great hopes. What is more striking is his response about a possible contract extension, expiring at the end of 2017.
"It's not a priority, neither for me nor for the team. At this moment, the team has many things to think about, the last four races, the 2017 car. We haven't talked about it, and I don't think we will now or in the near future. There is time, many things can happen in a year".
Phrases that suggest a cooling of relations. A year ago, Vettel was proclaiming deep love for the red team, and in response to a similar question, he would probably have said:
"I can't wait to sign".
Even the team was crazy about him, while now Ferrari's team principal, Maurizio Arrivabene, when asked about it, says:
"Everyone has to earn the renewal".
So, even Vettel, who this year scored five points less than Raikkonen and only made it to the podium six times out of seventeen Grands Prix. In words, the marriage is still very solid, but the impression is that there is no rush to extend it. It may be that they are waiting for next year, and the start of the World Championship may be decisive. Meanwhile, Vettel thinks about the improvements seen in Japan and the podium achieved in the United States last year.
"The weather helped me, the rain. It was a fantastic race, with many red flags in the stands because in the United States, the passion for Ferrari is huge. I hope to repeat that result. Who knows if the battle between Rosberg and Hamilton can favor us".
The difference lies in the details. Determined but shadowy Hamilton, serene, smiling, relaxed, available for any joke Rosberg, a driver who feels the prey is close, the magical first world title, who knows he is in great shape and widely favored by the standings but has imposed on himself to live this important eve under the sign of superstition and defense. He cannot deny the evidence:
"I am in good shape, unlike in the past".
But woe betide anyone talking to him about the world championship title.
"I only think about Austin, about this race, about winning it, without any calculations. Managing is not for me; the idea of settling for a placement doesn't cross my mind at all. I will attack as always, until the checkered flag".
Only the United States, no further. There are fifty journalists in front of him, representing the whole world, who would like to know his sensations, his feelings, if he already has in mind how he will celebrate the final triumph, if perhaps, since he has the arithmetic possibility, he has thought of some special celebration in Mexico. Everyone asks, insists, but he remains silent. He repeats his resolution like a mantra:
"I only look at Austin, I only talk about the next race and nothing more".
A refrain in all languages, as the probable champion Rosberg speaks English, German, French, and Italian without any problems. The United States is the only frontier, an insurmountable barrier to any dream and any plan, with the addition of a strict superstition. Nico Rosberg forbids all his family members from talking about a possible victory; for example, his father Keke, a former World Champion, is not authorized to give interviews about his son. He promised this; he will do it only if the feat is accomplished, and the same goes for all the people closest to him who are with him this weekend. A tactic, that of one race at a time, started in Spa at the end of August, the Belgian Grand Prix, and coincidentally, since then, it has brought him four victories and a third place, 115 points compared to Hamilton's 63, creating the decisive gap. Rosberg doesn't change habits right now; on the contrary, he will try to maintain some rituals, like playing cards with an Italian Rai journalist on Sunday morning, a ritual that accompanies another, that of a recently become father, changing his son's diapers before leaving for a race. He says it brings him luck and has no intention of giving it up. On Thursday in Austin, many tried to make him make a mistake, even provoking him with Hamilton's statements, when he says that everything is still open and that, in any case, if he were to lose, he would do it like a man and shake his hand. But Nico Rosberg doesn't get intimidated:
"I have to think about winning races, not about how Hamilton thinks of behaving. And even less about how I would behave with him if I were to prevail. My car, as always, will be competitive. All the conditions are there for another triumph. And I will do everything not to let it slip away".
In order to soften the mantra. And feel even closer to the history book. So, on Friday, October 21, 2016, Nico Rosberg doesn't give any discounts. In the subtle mind game that could mean the first world title for him or a hope for a comeback for Lewis Hamilton, he immediately restores parity after the English rival had dominated the field in the first practice session, setting the fastest time and showing that Austin could still be his hunting ground.
"In a circuit that I love and where I have already won three times".
Indeed, Texas suits Hamilton; he has almost always been the one celebrating since there have been only four editions so far. But Nico Rosberg is in great shape, and this time he is not having it, also recalling that in 2015 he was escorted off the track in a war of tough driving at the first turn. That Sunday, after the hurricane that had marred the weekend, Lewis Hamilton was crowned World Champion well in advance, and Nico Rosberg, as he confided to some Milanese friends, made a fool of himself, and now he wants to return the favor to the enemy. So, no stories in the second session, the one that concludes on Friday and sends the drivers to sleep, the best time and almost 0.3 seconds ahead of his teammate.
"With a Mercedes that, as usual, is proving to be fantastic".
The problem for Hamilton is not just the defeat in direct comparison, but also the uncomfortable intrusion in the standings by Ricciardo, who with the Red Bull was faster than him, finishing second and threatening to be an obstacle in the race, given his car's excellent pace and apparent comfort with the tires. A quality that the Ferrari, fourth at the end of the day with Vettel and even tenth with Raikkonen, does not seem to possess. On the dirty track of Austin, the impression is that the Medium tires are ideal, unlike the Soft and Supersoft, a mix that Ferrari did not prioritize, bringing only one set. In theory, the strategy does not seem to start on the right foot, but Vettel, despite complaining about the unsatisfactory time, tries to reassure everyone:
"We didn't start well, we faced some setbacks, the car is a bit nervous and doesn't have the right balance yet. But the weekend is long, and in qualifying, you will see a different Ferrari".
However, Ricciardo, the Red Bull rival, is far away, while Verstappen, the Australian's teammate, finishes in fifth position, just 0.08 seconds behind Vettel, a gap that could be eliminated in a single lap. Not to mention the troubles of Kimi Raikkonen, who currently trails Nico Rosberg by 1.5 seconds, a much larger gap to Daniel Ricciardo and Lewis Hamilton, and is 0.7 seconds away from his teammate and 0.6 seconds from Max Verstappen. Considering that Ferrari needs to finish ahead of Red Bull to continue chasing the second place in the constructors' championship, there is little to be happy about, and the Finn himself acknowledges it:
"I would define the debut in Texas as rather complicated. We absolutely need to improve the setup; otherwise, we won't go anywhere. I am optimistic because the first sector is very similar to Suzuka, and we performed well on the Japanese track, but we need to act quickly".
To overcome the troubles, try to achieve that podium that Sebastian Vettel won in 2015, amid the enthusiasm of many Americans who love Ferrari and will come to the racetrack on Sunday with the red flag. A fight for honor, while the real action is at the front. Rosberg smells the glory, feels it getting closer and remains super focused. The German driver swears:
"I will attack; I don't know how to manage".
But in the meantime, he has the relief of looking down on everyone. Hamilton blows like a unleashed bull, frequently visiting the United States, almost feeling at home, and wanting to show this audience that he possesses not only glamour but also talent. However, the task is not easy; this time, too, he seems to be behind. And a possible defeat would mean a decisive blow to the head. Meanwhile, those who think that the American wall against the advance of F1 is due only to gigantic flops like the one in 2005 at Indianapolis are wrong when fans had to witness a Grand Prix with only six cars on the track, two Ferraris (Schumacher and Barrichello) with Bridgestone tires, and four others: all cars with Michelin tires retired in the first lap for safety reasons amid the boos of the crowd.
That was the death knell: the organizers of the Indianapolis circuit told Bernie Ecclestone that they didn't want to see his world anymore. And certainly, certain weather-related failures, like Austin last year, the raging hurricane, no cars on the track on Saturday, qualifications and the race on Sunday with only a few dozen spectators in the stands, didn't help either. Against all these missteps, John Malone, 75, president of Liberty Media, the American giant that bought F1, will have to face it: he will have to perform a miracle - for geographical, historical, and cultural reasons that delve into the social aspect because the great American passion for motorsports also hides a sort of class struggle. The king of cable TV will have to break down a wall made of pride and traditions. Geographically, the United States, in terms of cars on the track, are split in two. The Northwest, from New York to Ohio, and the Midwest, are all for Indy, which has stirred the hearts for over a hundred years. Open wheels, Indy 500, city circuits like Detroit or Toronto, the more American Canada, in contrast to the Southwest, North Carolina to Florida, all for NASCAR, ovals, Stock Cars, production cars like the legendary Fords that won in the '70s and then the audience rushed to buy them, unthinkable with F1. Engines are a kind of religion, and if you go to a supermarket, one in ten knows who Michael Schumacher is, eight know Mario Andretti, the Indy icon; everyone knows Richard Petty, The King, with a cowboy hat, unbeatable in NASCAR, immortalized also in the movie Cars, and who walks around the paddock here with Southern pride, perhaps with a gun in his belt. Those who follow Indy are upper-middle class; the ticket to enter costs 50 dollars. NASCAR is for rednecks, farmers always exposed to the sun, who understand little about engines, as it's just going around in circles, and the winner is the one who arrives first. They go to the stands with 20 dollars, then in installments hope to buy the car that won. NASCAR has crazy revenues; Haas has a budget of 300 million dollars for a season, more than F1. Ganassi and Penske are no less, and a top driver (more Indy than NASCAR) can earn 2 million dollars a year. Few rules, a lot of show, the audience in perpetual contact. A product that benefits companies and reaches the consumer, with the protagonists becoming guests on talk shows with a large audience.
On the other hand, Formula 1 is foreign, ostentatious, but doesn't bring in money. On Saturday, October 22, 2016, the show continues with the two Red Bull drivers dominating the third free practice session. Max Verstappen precedes Daniel Ricciardo by almost 0.3 seconds. The two drivers, aboard the Anglo-Austrian cars, set the time with Supersoft tires, while the Mercedes drivers fail to simulate a qualifying lap: Nico Rosberg makes a small mistake in his best attempt, while Lewis Hamilton cannot finish his lap before the checkered flag, which ends the session. Kimi Räikkönen settles in third place on the leaderboard. The other driver of the Maranello team, Sebastian Vettel, suffers a gearbox problem, so he only completes eight laps. The session is interrupted, by displaying the red flag when Pascal Wehrlein ends his race - with his car - in an escape route. On Carlos Sainz Jr.'s Toro Rosso, there is a loss of air from the rear tires, due to the rubbing of the brake basket on the tire. A few hours later, in the first phase of qualifying, the fastest is Lewis Hamilton, who precedes Nico Rosberg. The fight for qualification to the second phase sees the Manor drivers eliminated, then Romain Grosjean, Kevin Magnussen, Jenson Button, and Felipe Nasr. In Q2, the Mercedes drivers use Soft tires, while the other drivers prefer Supersoft tires. The choice of tires in this phase of qualifying also determines the type of covers with which the drivers will start the race. This choice favors Daniel Ricciardo, the fastest in Q2, just ahead of the two Anglo-German cars. Daniil Kvyat, Jolyon Palmer, Esteban Gutiérrez, Fernando Alonso, Marcus Ericsson, and Sergio Pérez do not advance to the decisive phase. In Q3, the Mercedes drivers put on Supersoft compound tires again: Lewis Hamilton sets the best time, followed by his teammate, Nico Rosberg. Third is Daniel Ricciardo, who precedes Max Verstappen and the two Ferraris. With the second attempt, the British driver sets a time of 1'34"999 and confirms his pole position, always ahead of Nico Rosberg. Perhaps it will not be enough to reopen the battle for the World Championship victory, but Lewis Hamilton honors his America, a country where he often takes refuge as a tourist, and on the Austin circuit, he conquers the 58th pole position of his career, just ten or eleven (there is a dispute, won in Monte Carlo) less than Michael Schumacher and seven less than Ayrton Senna.
Lewis Hamilton, who has a fertile hunting ground on this Texan track, with three wins in four editions, beats his teammate, Nico Rosberg, by 0.216 seconds, who swears not to want to manage, to think about the attack, and to aim for a new victory, but here, at least at the start, he will be forced to defend himself. The Englishman seems to be more competitive than the German driver, but now his problem will be not to make a mistake at the start, something that has often happened to him this year. To curb the difficult relationship with the manual clutch, Mercedes technicians have even started studying his fingers to try to make the release as congenial as possible and avoid Lewis from causing another disaster that would definitively compromise his pursuit of an unexpected fourth world title. After qualifying, Hamilton is finally relaxed and smiling, after days of a frowning look. The British driver openly confesses his joy:
"I had a lot of fun in my best lap".
And he doesn't fear a troubled start, like the one in Suzuka, where after a few meters, he found himself in seventh place. Nico Rosberg is instead disappointed, but not too much, due to a classification that remains very good:
"Hamilton was better than me; I wasn't fast enough, but it's only a fight for the pole, points are earned in the race, and no verdict has been issued yet".
Well, Red Bull bowed to Mercedes but clearly beat Ferrari. Ricciardo finished in third place, even after deluding himself into thinking he was the best at the end of the second round (but he had used softer tires compared to the two Mercedes rivals and teammate Verstappen). He clearly states that he cannot keep up with the pace of the Anglo-German car but can comfortably beat Ferrari, a request from the team to defend the second position in the Constructors' World Championship. Verstappen is also significantly ahead of Ferrari, finishing fourth, while Raikkonen and Vettel close in fifth and sixth place, with the Finn once again outperforming the German in the flying lap (0.227 seconds), demonstrating how Vettel's troubled season is slowly coming to an end.
The two drivers were not satisfied with the car's balance on Friday, and things don't seem to have changed much on a track with high aerodynamic load, where Ferrari performs well in the second sector but struggles in the first and especially in the last two corners. Sebastian Vettel will start from the third row with the sixth time, behind teammate Raikkonen as well. The German driver explains to the media:
"The feeling inside the car is not so negative, but we struggle a bit more compared to the last races. Qualifying didn't seem bad until Q3, where we couldn't improve, but we're not here just for qualifying, but for tomorrow's race".
Tire strategy with only one set of Mediums available.
"There is nothing wrong with the tire strategy. We have a set of mediums if we need them".
Mercedes is in a league of its own, and Red Bull also seems decidedly distant, unless miracles happen with the strategy. However, the audience expects strong emotions, especially from the fight at the front. Hamilton has no doubts:
"Never like this time can the first corner be decisive. I feel great; it's my first pole here. I have to thank the fans; the energy was great when I passed by the pits".
Knowing that Rosberg cannot be too bold. With four second places in as many races, he can become the World Champion, so he has no interest in getting into trouble. And even if he doesn't say it, the impression is that he could start managing it as early as Austin. Ecclestone, 86 years old, still a puppeteer of F1, present in Austin, despite having sold it to the Americans of Liberty Media just over a month ago, says:
"We don't need a world champion like Rosberg; it's too little glamour. He's a normal driver; he would only make Mercedes happy because he's German and would allow the company to show that anyone can win with their cars. We're interested in Hamilton; we cheer for him. Lewis is our star".
Not bad for someone who should be impartial, the supreme referee of this exciting world championship duel that risks making the last four races of the World Championship electrifying. Nico Rosberg cashes in, Lewis Hamilton smiles, but Bernie Ecclestone certainly doesn't set an example. After all, he doesn't like diplomacy: the Americans have recently bought F1; they will try hard to make it break through in this hostile and prejudiced market, aiming to bring as many races as possible to the United States. Still, he, the calendar director, doesn't give great hope:
"I don't think the USA can have more races besides Austin. We tried New York; it's not possible, so all that's left is to enjoy Texas. It doesn't make sense to go elsewhere".
Certainly, where Ecclestone is not wrong is in asserting that Hamilton is very fast. He spent a lifetime chasing Senna, his idol, and by securing the pole, he has taken another significant step forward. The comparison in terms of fast laps is almost equal. Senna's 65 poles, someone who in a lap in 1993 at Donington in the rain managed to overtake five drivers, seemed unreachable. Still, Schumacher surpassed him first with 68 or 69 (there's a dispute in Monte Carlo, not counted by everyone due to subsequent disqualification), and now Hamilton is dangerously challenging him, with 58. The Englishman, with a photo of the Brazilian on his bedside table, would be happy to beat his childhood idol:
"However, Senna's greatness lies in the numbers: he raced in 162 events, and I am already at 185, yet in less time, he secured seven more pole positions than me. He will always remain a legend, one I would like to approach".
After surpassing him in Grand Prix victories, 49 to 41, and perhaps beating him in world titles, given that Lewis has already shed tears of joy when reaching three, like the Brazilian, and now, if not this year, in 2017, he openly aims for the poker. Because Hamilton, no matter how this battle with Rosberg goes, has already made it clear:
"I have no intention of taking a sabbatical year. When I decide to stop, it will be a permanent break. But the time has not come yet".
On Sunday, October 23, 2016, at the start of the United States Grand Prix, Lewis Hamilton maintained the lead, while Nico Rosberg was overtaken by Daniel Ricciardo; Kimi Räikkönen was fourth. Max Verstappen took fifth place, holding off Sebastian Vettel; the Ferrari driver unsuccessfully tried to pass the Dutchman during the first lap. Felipe Massa, Carlos Sainz Jr., and Fernando Alonso followed. Sergio Pérez spun, while Valtteri Bottas suffered a puncture. The top positions remained unchanged until lap 8 when both Daniel Ricciardo and Kimi Räikkönen pitted for Soft tires. Exiting the pits, the Finn found himself behind Jenson Button, allowing Daniel Ricciardo to pull away, although Kimi Räikkönen quickly passed the British McLaren driver. Max Verstappen made his pit stop during lap 9, while between laps 10 and 11, the two Mercedes drivers returned to the pits: Nico Rosberg opted for Medium tires, and Lewis Hamilton chose Soft tires.
Even after the first round of stops, the leaderboard remained unchanged, at least until lap 12 when Max Verstappen passed Kimi Räikkönen. After Sebastian Vettel's pit stop, Lewis Hamilton regained the lead, followed by Daniel Ricciardo, Nico Rosberg, Max Verstappen, the two Ferraris of Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen, then Felipe Massa, Carlos Sainz Jr., and the two McLarens of Jenson Button and Fernando Alonso. In this phase of the race, due to different tire choices, Verstappen managed to close in on Rosberg but failed to overtake him. Kimi Räikkönen made his second stop on lap 24, just as his teammate, Sebastian Vettel, was close to overtaking. The Finn switched to Supersoft tires; one lap later, Daniel Ricciardo made his second stop (opting for Medium tires), while, shortly after, Max Verstappen entered the pits. The team was not ready with the new set of tires, and the Dutchman had to slow down and wait for the arrival of the tires. He would later retire two laps later due to a loss of power in his Red Bull Racing's Renault engine. The race director introduced the Virtual Safety Car. In the same lap, Vettel stopped for the second time and switched to Medium tires. The two Mercedes drivers made their second stops on lap 32, both opting for Medium tires. Lewis Hamilton remained in the lead, ahead of his teammate Nico Rosberg, who passed Daniel Ricciardo, now in third. The two Ferraris followed. Carlos Sainz Jr., taking advantage of the pit stops, gained a position at the expense of Felipe Massa. Later, Kimi Räikkönen tried to close in on Daniel Ricciardo, but on lap 39, he was called to the pits for his third stop.
Upon returning to the track, however, one wheel was not properly secured, and the Finn decided to park his Ferrari on the pit exit before reversing back into the paddock. Carlos Sainz Jr. was closely followed by both Felipe Massa and Fernando Alonso. The McLaren driver managed to pass the Williams driver on lap 52. Later, on lap 54, Sebastian Vettel made his third stop, while on lap 55, Fernando Alonso also overtook Carlos Sainz Jr.. Lewis Hamilton won the United States Grand Prix, finishing ahead of Nico Rosberg, Daniel Ricciardo, Sebastian Vettel, Fernando Alonso, Carlos Sainz Jr., Felipe Massa, Sergio Perez, Jenson Button, and Romain Grosjean. He celebrated, but not overly so. Lewis Hamilton won the United States Grand Prix and secured the 50th victory of his career, a milestone that seemed cursed, as the Englishman had not won since July 31, 2016, in Germany. Lewis Hamilton returned to smiling, but behind that subtle smirk that occasionally appeared on his face, there is probably an understanding that the dream of catching up to Nico Rosberg is practically impossible. Because the German, despite a cautious approach, avoiding any risks, finished in second place, limited the damage, preserved a 26-point lead, and demonstrated that with a wait-and-see tactic, he could comfortably win his first world championship. Hamilton expressed gratitude to the home crowd, describing them as an incredible audience that made this race unique and his triumph truly special. However, he couldn't help but admit that he had hoped for a better outcome in terms of the standings on this Sunday.
"In which my heart was beating fast, driven by this exceptional crowd, where I had a great connection with the car and fully exploited the incredible work done by the team".
He had hoped that Daniel Ricciardo, who had a good start, could assist him by maintaining the second position he gained at the first turn, despite Nico Rosberg being excessively cautious and somewhat hesitant. However, the German driver remained composed, maximizing the use of a Virtual Safety Car controlled by the officials to freeze the race due to a crane on the track removing Max Verstappen's car. Verstappen, who was fourth at the halfway point, had to retire after a significant slowdown and futile attempts to restart with the throttle pressed to the maximum. This disappointment not only affected the many Dutch fans in the stands but also damaged his Red Bull teammate's strategy, who had set an aggressive plan to fend off Rosberg for the second position. Ricciardo, finishing third, ended up disheartened:
"The Safety car got me. I was doing well while I was in second, but then the virtual safety car came, and Rosberg took advantage. It's frustrating, but that's how it goes. Too bad, we would have seen a good battle. The start went as planned or almost; I wanted to pass both Mercedes, but at least I managed to overtake Nico".
The probable future World Champion, Rosberg, on the other hand, exuded happiness:
"I limited the damage; Hamilton was much faster than me here, and at this point in the championship, it's fine. Don't expect me to drive cautiously until the end; it's not my style. I will attack, try to win races, but today wasn't the case".
However, Hamilton, hinting at it on the podium, where he appeared with a Mercedes girl (an unexpected twist, unexpected fame, stories to tell to grandchildren), while his friend, skier Lindsey Vonn, had anxiously watched for him in the pits, does not delude himself:
"The battle will continue; I will always drive like today and want to win all the races from here to the end. But Rosberg is good; it will be difficult to beat him. If he doesn't make any mistakes, there's nothing to be done. It has always been a good hunting ground for me; here I feel at home, and we have incredible support. I am grateful to everyone; the team has done a fantastic job; we are both on the podium. I am proud to be part of this team".
Nico Rosberg only loses seven points and sees the title closer after the United States Grand Prix. The Mercedes German seemed to want to manage the race.
"I lost a lot at the start and gave everything to recover. Second place is good; I limited the damage. No, I pushed to the maximum from start to finish - he assures - I wanted to win today, but there was no competition".
Mistakes like those seen in the pit stops make Verstappen the worst on the track and turn the Ferrari team's race into a kind of ordeal. Before retiring, the Dutchman entered for a tire change without warning the pits. He found the Red Bull crew unprepared, with tires in hand, cables to dodge. The driver had to stop, then restart, change the tires, and in the end, he left twelve seconds on the track. Unbelievable. For Raikkonen, who was fourth chasing Ricciardo, perhaps we can talk about bad luck. A nut came loose; he started with the right rear wheel not screwed on, it would have flown off on the track, Ferrari mechanics ordered him to stop, and he reversed back to the pits. Goodbye duel with Ricciardo, goodbye race, and goodbye fourth place. Vettel, on the other hand, amidst strategic somersaults, finished fourth, thanks to the retirements of Verstappen and Ricciardo but 43 seconds behind Hamilton. An eternity.
"I believe that in the race, we did well; for several laps, we were very competitive, and in the end, I gained two positions. We could have taken some points away from Red Bull; the race was challenging, but we are happy with our pace. It went better than in qualifying. There are positives, even though everything seems difficult for us at the moment. We are learning a lot from the car, and these lessons could help us in the future".
Fernando Alonso, on the other hand, suddenly regained his former lion-like prowess. In the last laps, he roared like never before, putting on a show by overtaking first Felipe Massa in the Williams and then Carlos Sainz Jr. in the Toro Rosso - the first, an old friend from Ferrari, and the second, a fellow Spaniard. In the end, he was radiant with the fifth position. Because with the current McLaren, doing better seems impossible. Lewis Hamilton's star-spangled heart beats strongly on the Austin circuit, where he loves spending a lot of time in the United States. This inclination is accentuated by his great and tender friendship with Lindsey Vonn (both deny any romantic involvement), who was present in beach attire at the pit box cheering for him. A perfect race and the fiftieth career victory, a milestone that seemed to have turned into a curse, as his last triumph dated back to July 31st at Hockenheim, just before the summer break, which he, as usual, experienced in a very glamorous manner. Yesterday's triumph ends a drought of more than two months, an unusual experience for the Englishman since Mercedes turned F1 into a monotonous monopoly.
Hamilton won, but probably, contrary to what he thinks, he hasn't reopened the fight for the World Championship victory. He clings to the comeback dream but has only gained seven points on his teammate, Rosberg, who initially seemed to be racing defensively, having started poorly, immediately saying goodbye to Hamilton and failing to resist Ricciardo's assault. However, his defense turned into intelligence, reasoned caution, even when faced with an easy overtaking opportunity, choosing to yield to the Manor rookie Esteban Ocon. The Mercedes engineers initially had the impression that Nico Rosberg, in fantastic form with four victories in the last six races, was asleep. When Ricciardo, in second place, entered the pits for the first stop at the beginning of the ninth lap, the engineers shouted through the radio that it was time to push, and a piqued Rosberg replied:
"I’ve been pushing from the first meter".
He dutifully stayed behind Ricciardo for a long time, never chasing the skirmish. Still, when it was time to make the decisive move, he didn't let the opportunity slip away. The opportune moment was caused by Verstappen's retirement, forced, after a long slowdown and futile attempts to accelerate, to park on the grass, causing the entry of a crane and the freezing of the race with the Safety Car. Hamilton rushed to the pits like a fury for a tire change; Rosberg calmly followed, perfectly calculating the timing and reclaiming a second place that could be worth the first world title. Now, two circuits congenial to him are coming up, and Hamilton might not have the upper hand. In Mexico, there has been only one race, and Rosberg dominated it. Brazil has always been against the Englishman, who in 2008 even risked giving Felipe Massa a title already in hand. The points gap is 26, and simple second places still suffice for Rosberg. The impression is that Ecclestone has to come to terms with it. He won't have the desired champion, all talent and glitz, but a serious professional, polyglot, and tender father. If the competition were enormous, some twists and turns could be considered. Ferrari, with various strategic maneuvers, secured fourth place with Sebastian Vettel (thanks to the retirements of others in front). The rest of the world doesn't exist.