Max Verstappen data discovery: ‘clear’ culprit for Hamilton DNF found

A busy and controversial US Grand Prix means we’ve got a whole round of Formula 1 news to look forward to today!

A deep dive into the data has revealed a minor miracle when it comes to Max Verstappen’s efforts to hold off Lando Norris, while Mercedes boss Toto Wolff absolved Lewis Hamilton of any blame for his early race end. This is just a taste of what’s to come, so let’s get to it.

The data shows just how impressive Max Verstappen’s defense was.

Additional reporting by Elizabeth Blackstock

With Ferrari in a class of their own at Sunday’s Austin Grand Prix, Verstappen had to fight to retain his podium spot with Formula One title rival Norris in charge of the attack.

Norris entered Verstappen’s DRS zone on lap 44, but it was not until lap 52 that he overtook, or so he thought, at turn 12.

And it turns out that Verstappen performed something of a miracle by lasting as long as he did against Norris, as the data showed that his speed on the hard tires in the final stint was the slowest in the top five. Verstappen eventually returned to the podium due to a five-second penalty for Norris, who ended his overtaking off the track.

Read more – US Grand Prix data reveals Max Verstappen’s miracle against McLaren

‘Clear’ Lewis Hamilton not to blame for spin at US Grand Prix

It wasn’t the smoothest racing weekend for Hamilton in Austin, a five-time Circuit of the Americas winner who only made it to the second lap when he spun and went into the gravel, ironically at Turn 19, where his teammate George Russell crashed in qualifying.

However, it was “clear” to Wolff that the wind and slip effect were to blame, not Hamilton.

Read more – ‘Clear’ situation on US Grand Prix incident with Lewis Hamilton: Toto Wolff delivers verdict

Zac Brown calls on Red Bull to ‘sign affidavit’

Ahead of the Verstappen vs Norris fireworks talk, McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown raised concerns about the Red Bull RB20’s bib after the team confirmed the presence of an adjustable ride height device on their car but denied it was ever used in breach of the rules. in a closed park. There is no evidence that this happened.

But Brown wants Red Bull’s senior management and former and current mechanics to “sign affidavits” saying the bib trick was never used in this way, after hearing some contrary suggestions in the pitlane.

Read more – Zac Brown demands Red Bull to ‘sign affidavit’ after Bibgate paddock report

Max Verstappen doesn’t like McLaren

McLaren were unimpressed with the performance of the FIA ​​stewards in the Verstappen v Norris match in Austin, expressing disappointment with the manner of Verstappen’s defence.

However, Verstappen was not a solace as “there’s been a lot of complaining about them lately.”

Read more – McLaren ‘complaining about a lot lately’ as Verstappen addresses Norris with fireworks at US Grand Prix

Christian Horner thinks Lando Norris’ penalty kick is a ‘slam dunk’

The all-important five-second penalty handed to Norris at the end of the United States Grand Prix caused much controversy: neither he nor Verstappen missed the corner at Turn 12 and Norris took the lead again. McLaren were confident that Norris was in the lead at the top, so the P3 was his.

The stewards thought otherwise and Red Bull boss Christian Horner agreed it was a “black and white scenario” and a penalty “with a dunk”.

Read more – Christian Horner’s ‘black and white’ response after FIA fined Norris in battle with Verstappen