The Formula 1 maturity certificate: Austin

LEWIS HAMILTON: Lewis Hamilton didn’t want to “crawl” to the world title again. In the last two years, placements far from the podium were enough for him to crown it - because he had a huge lead in the championship and didn't have to risk much anymore. This was true again in Austin. Theoretically, the Briton could have watched from fifth place on the grid how the cars in front of him were fighting for victory; even eighth place would have been enough for him. But Hamilton wanted to wrap up the title “in style”.

So he fought with all fair means, after his good start he wanted to beat his teammates Valtteri Bottas and Max Verstappen in the Red Bull with another risky strategy. Even though this narrowly failed and he had to let Bottas pass shortly before the end of the race, Hamilton's attitude is a prime example of why he may well be the most successful driver in Formula 2020 history by the end of 1.

VALTTERI BOTTAS: The Finn never gave up in the seemingly hopeless World Cup duel with his Mercedes colleague Hamilton, and you have to give him credit for that. The pole position and the victory on the Hamilton parade route in Austin are a big exclamation point. There are reasons why it wasn't enough for Bottas to hit the big time, which he himself aptly named: Hamilton is simply more consistent at the highest level and is at a level that he himself has only reached in phases. After all: Bottas has been confirmed as runner-up world champion for the first time; he has never achieved four wins and five pole positions in one season before. The 30-year-old wants to attack again next year. But his opponent on his own team is unlikely to let up.

Ferrari couldn't get up to speed in Austin. © APA/getty / Mark Thompson

FERRARI: Some believed in a relapse into times past, others believed in bad luck, and still others saw their suspicions confirmed. For the first time since mid-May in Barcelona, Ferrari missed the podium, and for the first time in six races, the Scuderia drivers didn't have the slightest chance of winning. Sebastian Vettel's broken suspension was one thing, but the sudden lack of pace from the two Ferraris on the straight during training was something completely different. At the Austin weekend, the FIA umbrella organization issued a technical directive regulating the fuel flow regulations in more detail. The competition had apparently long suspected that Ferrari was operating at least on the edge of the gray area in this respect. For them, the Texas collapse was the best proof that they were right.

MAX STAGES: The Dutchman was the driver who took the most direct approach to Ferrari. The Red Bull driver even spoke of “cheating”, which was now exposed due to the loss of pace. But it wasn't Verstappen's only appearance as a tough guy in Austin. The 22-year-old reprimanded multiple world champions Hamilton and Vettel for their criticism of his brisk driving style. This brought him third place, which was the maximum given the once again strong Mercedes performance in the race.

SAYING OF THE WEEKEND: “I'm still working on a masterpiece, I'm not finished yet.” (Six-time Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton)

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The Formula 1 maturity certificate: Austin

In our section we are once again taking a closer look at the protagonists of the past Formula 1 weekend.

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