Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen had us reminiscing of 2021 at the Circuit of the Americas this weekend, giving us a battle for first place that went right down to the wire.
Verstappen seemed to have the win secured, clear of Hamilton and on course to secure his 13thwin of the season, tying the record alongside Michael Schumacher and Sebastian Vettel.
A slow pitstop however, in which the team had to hurriedly switch to a replacement wheel gun, saw the Dutchman tumble down the order going into the latter stages of the race.
This gave fans the fight that they’ve been waiting to see since Abu Dhabi last year; Verstappen versus Hamilton for a Grand Prix victory.
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In true Verstappen – Hamilton fashion the battle was not without controversy, with the Dutchman using every inch of track available in his bid to beat the Brit.
On lap 50 of 56 Verstappen used his significant pace advantage to get past Hamilton but the Mercedes driver was clearly unhappy with how the Dutchman was maintaining the advantage as he tried to cling on to being within DRS range of the Red Bull.
“He’s gone off again, Turn 20,” Hamilton told his team over the radio, claiming that the two-time world champion was using more of the track that he is allowed to keep himself ahead of the 37-year-old.
Race control agreed with Hamilton, giving Verstappen his final warning, meaning that should he exceed track limits again he would have received a five-second penalty, putting him back behind the Mercedes.
Unfortunately for the seven-time world champion, just as he might have been able to take advantage of this warning to his rival, Hamilton himself was shown the black and white flag, meaning he was also one track limit violation away from receiving a penalty.
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The 25-year-old Dutchman, who won the drivers’ championship last time out in Suzuka, held on to win the race, meaning the Milton Keynes based outfit can now officially boast the double of winning the constructors’ and drivers’ championships this season.
Celebrations were sparked in the Red Bull garage, with the team keen to declare the win in honour of their late owner Dietrich Mateschitz.
The passing of the 78-year old came as a shock to the Formula 1 world and the Red Bull team will be pleased to have been able to dedicate a win to a man who did so much for so many people around the globe.