Max Verstappen
The Dutchman is probably the only one in the whole paddock, maybe even in Formula 1, that of the Netflix series Drive to survive can gain nothing. For the fourth season, which is currently being shot, he no longer wants to be available. The Dutchman is being overly dramatized: “I understand that it has to be done to increase popularity in America, but I don’t want to be part of it. I want facts and things that really happen.” That would be a thing if he became a champion and then just supporting actors on the streaming platform. With his ninth pole position of the season and his eighth win, he has created a good starting position for the decisive five races in the middle of the Mercedes area. In a manner strongly reminiscent of the than Hammertime remembered famous appearances of his adversary Lewis Hamilton. In time for the showdown, the 24-year-old returned to his driving skills, which in Austin consisted of both calculated aggressiveness and great defensive performance. Now just don’t let up, don’t let yourself be provoked. “The key are the details,” says the Red Bull pilot, who had never won in the USA before and this time received the trophy from basketball legend Shaquille O’Neal. (Photo)
Lewis Hamilton
The record winner from Austin was back on its orbit early after he had not let Max Verstappen displace him after the start on the wild chase uphill and was the first to go into the violent left bend from second place on the grid. After that he gave everything, but then he was no longer able to hold or catch up with the Red Bull Honda. With the exception of a second, shortly before the end, thanks to clever tactics and an impeccable driving style like that of winner Verstappen, the Brit came back to the front runner. One more turn and he might have been past. Can happen if suddenly a second man drives like from another planet. A finish like this has not existed in Formula 1 for a long time. Old laws are overturned, the form of the day decides. Hamilton apologized to the team that it didn’t work out with the calculated overtaking maneuver, but you don’t need to reproach yourself if one gives everything – and the other car is just a tad better.
Sergio Perez
The Mexican first had to learn to be a team player in Formula 1. After switching to Red Bull Racing, he dutifully copied what his team-mate Max Verstappen had shown. But somehow that didn’t want to work out properly. The 31-year-old, who is more of a PS macho out of conviction, decided at some point to go his own way. Lately he’s been getting better and better at the synchronization between ego and teamwork. The reward for him was: a third place in Austin, which marks the 200th podium for the drinks racing team. After a problem with the hydration system in the car, Perez ran out of water after the first lap, which is a real torture on the hot Texan track. But he fought his way through, kept the pressure on Hamilton. In qualifying, he almost managed to oust Verstappen from pole position. Which would have been good for his own reputation and the upcoming Mexican Grand Prix, but again bad for his standing in the team. According to team boss Christian Horner, this is better than ever: “Phenomenal, what Checo has shown. “
Mick Schumacher
The distance between Schumacher and his Haas team-mate Nikita Mazepin could be wonderfully mentioned again, but this time it would be too humiliating for the Russian. Let’s leave it with the young German’s statement that his 17th Formula 1 race was “a lot of fun”. In Texas he’s something like that local hero been – drives for a US racing team, the family owns a ranch in the Lone Star state. “The track has a lot of energy,” he said of the Circuit of the Americas, probably referring to the asphalt and the great scenery. A golden helmet was his homage to the hosts, and he was also able to mine a few sporty nuggets over the 56 laps. He also had “very good fights”, he draws more satisfaction from these arguments with pilots in cars that are far better than his own than he did in 16th place. Once shortly before the end he stood a little in the way of the speeding top duo, but where should he have gone. He made room as quickly as possible.
Austin
Negotiations for a tenth Formula 1 year in Austin are imminent, but the organizers are not worried about this weekend. What argument would speak against a venue that attracts 400,000 visitors over three days, 140,000 of them on race day alone? It was almost as if the pandemic never happened. No, it was even better. A big party that even the racing drivers were visibly impressed by. During the lap of honor on a truck before the start, an otherwise rather annoying compulsory program, the drivers applauded the audience – thunderous applause came back. The mood rocked high, what is known in the US as good vibes designated. That’s exactly what Formula 1 needs, anyway, as part of its North American expansion. “The most important thing is that our sport grows in the USA,” says Sebastian Vettel. In return, the drivers themselves accepted the violent blows in the neck caused by the bump in the mountain and valley railway.
Sebastian Vettel
How did he struggle in qualifying, although it was clear beforehand that he would have to go back to the bottom of the field after changing the engine of his Aston Martin-Mercedes. That’s right, just not right at the end, as he was able to place himself in front of his colleagues, George Russell and Fernando Alonso, who were also set back. Small steps so as not to let a great ambition wither away. Which are promptly rewarded in the race: in the end, the driver from Heppenheim was the driver with the most overtaking maneuvers and was rewarded with an honor point for this. Judging by the fact that he was the last Red Bull driver to win in Austin in 2013 before Verstappen, that is of course nothing. But every race in an already messed up season is a good test of what should develop in 2022. Which is why Vettel can be satisfied. Once again he made it clear to the team what his experience is worth. Even if Sky commentator Ralf Schumacher likes to blaspheme the racing team: “You can’t make a tiger out of a cow overnight.”
Nico Hulkenberg
It was rather casual to learn that Nico Hülkenberg, until recently one of two German Formula 1 regular drivers, had declared his career in the premier class over. The Emmericher, who never made it onto the podium in 179 Grand Prix races, is still in demand as a high-class reservist. But that’s not enough for the 34-year-old. He is looking for racing practice. In the medium term, that could be back to the 24 Hours of Le Mans, which he has already won with Porsche. In the short term, however, he is looking for the thrill in the North American IndyCar series. From the paddock in Austin it went to test drives for the US offshoot of McLaren in Barber Motorsports Park in Alabama. Hulk would meet old friends in the overseas equivalent of Formula 1: the Swede Marcus Ericsson (formerly Sauber) and the Frenchman Romain Grosjean (Haas) have already successfully dared to take the plunge.