This was Lando NorrisHis sixth victory of the season, but even more importantly, it was one he truly needed; a first win since Hungary during the summer. Overall, the weekend was one of his most commanding displays as a grand prix driver. Is he regaining his form at the perfect moment?
We’ve discussed several times this season the significance of an athlete possessing the trait of “inevitability” when they step onto the field.Oscar PiastriHe had it for some time as he extended his championship lead in a dominant manner from April onward. Norris had it during the summer, securing three victories and a second-place finish in July and early August.
More recently, Max VerstappenHe had it as he closed the gap in the points race with an outstanding four-race run. And now, Norris has found it again at the exact moment he needed it most.
He currently holds the championship lead for the first time since Bahrain. It feels like another era, given how long the season has been and Piastri’s dominance. However, in the past six weeks, that dominance has slipped away from the Australian.
The U.S. Grand Prix transformed the competition by making Verstappen a real championship hopeful, after he had fallen more than 100 points behind following the Dutch GP in August. This weekend has set the stage for a series of four races featuring an intense three-driver title fight. If any of these drivers can achieve a four-race streak similar to what they’ve already accomplished this season, they could become world champion. I don’t believe it will unfold that way. I think the advantage will shift among them. And that will make it very thrilling to watch.
Piastri’s poor run continues
Many people are paying attention to how Norris was jeered by the audience, with some suggesting it is due to the wayMcLarenIt is managing its two drivers, with the perception that they are showing favoritism towards Norris. I believe the more intriguing development is the decline in performance of Piastri, who has not appeared at his best either inside or outside the car since Monza.
The upcoming four races in Brazil, Las Vegas, Qatar, and Abu Dhabi are must-see events, with a few sprint races included – specifically Brazil and Qatar, which hold great importance. This is because the points earned could be crucial in the overall standings. The competition is wide open, and it’s difficult to predict a winner due to the changing momentum among the top three drivers.
Bearman achieves a significant success
Another notable moment from Mexico was the presentation ofOliver BearmanIn the Haas, he came in fourth. He has been quite strong in qualifying this season, but hasn’t yet achieved a major race result.
It’s not unusual for new drivers; a skilled young talent often manages the one-lap speed, but it takes time to develop consistency during actual races. In Bearman’s situation, we had become accustomed to the notion that he was prepared to perform due to his impressive drives last year as a super-sub forFerrariin Jeddah and Haas in Baku.
What I find thrilling about the Bearman story is his act alongsideEsteban Ocon, who is a well-known benchmark driver. He has a 12-8 record against the Frenchman in qualifying and is currently leading in the drivers’ championship – 32 points to 30. This kind of performance brings him into focus and is precisely what a team like Haas would have hoped for when pairing the Ferrari junior with a more seasoned race-winning driver.
The squad appears well-rounded, keeping Ocon on edge and reinforcing the perception from his replacement laps in 2024 that Bearman has significant potential.
A race for pride
Another storyline I’m finding engaging is the escalating competition in the constructors’ championship involving Ferrari,Mercedes and Red Bull Racing. Any one of them might come in second or fourth place.
In addition to the difference in prize money, there is a sense of honor involved, as well as momentum heading into the following season. For any of them to come in fourth would be a major disappointment before a crucial winter. Finishing in second place would show a favorable trend moving into an important winter period.
These elements are truly significant for teams. It appears that McLaren and Ferrari slowed down the development of their cars this year earlier than the other two teams, which have kept improving performance, especially Red Bull. This is one factor, but it’s also about teamwork and maintaining a mindset focused on maximizing every aspect, from car setup and pit stops to qualifying laps and long runs.
And this takes us back to Piastri. He hasn’t been performing at the same level since the beginning of September. He still has a strong opportunity to become world champion, but he needs to adopt a saying from the greatAyrton Senna; the Brazil GP ‘has to be my way’.
Read Also:
jasdooit 
Leave a comment