Photo by Simon Galloway from Getty Images
We are coming to the end of the Formula 1 season, and we are just a few short days away until we, very likely, crown the youngest ever Formula 1 world champion.
But here are the winners & losers from a fall Sunday in Austin, Texas.
Losers
5. Oliver Bearman
The young Haas driver had a collision in the early laps, got a ten second penalty for it, and then had to retire from the race due to a mechanical failure.
Not exactly the best day at the office.
4. Franco Colapinto
It’s been a good year overall for the Argentine, but a bit of a tough stretch as of late, with another DNF, his 3rd in the last 4 races.
Tough one.
3. Cadillac
We all knew this would be a really, really tough year for Cadillac.
But even with those expectations, it’s been very, very bad for the newest team in F1, with another dreadful showing in front of their hometown fans.
They remain the only team this year with no points, and I’m not sure where they’ll come from otherwise.
2. Max Verstappen
He still finished on the podium. He still is a phenomenal driver.
But his car had engine braking issues, his pit stops put him in dirty air, and his second pit stop was slow.
He might have had a chance to get the win, but it wasn’t in the cards.
1. George Russell
George Russell’s title fight has long been over, but Sunday was the final death blow.
Sure, he got a penalty that I don’t think was necessarily fair, but he also qualified poorly and never was able to make up ground in a race that his teammate won easily.
There’s no two ways about it.
He just wasn’t good enough to fight for this championship all year long.
Winners
5. Lance Stroll
Lance Stroll finished ahead of Fernando Alonso!
This has been your Lance Stroll update of the week.
4. Fernando Alonso
But even though he finished behind his teammate, at least Alonso gave us actual quality racing on track despite no points being up for grabs.
He’s always just a joy to watch.
3. Max Verstappen
Despite all the issues mentioned above, Verstappen still drove really well to get it on the podium.
I still think he’s the best on the grid.
2. Charles Leclerc
Leclerc had a really, really good weekend.
Great passes on the opening laps, a great overtake of Verstappen to get to second, and another podium.
He and Verstappen always have fun battles.
Sunday was no different.
1. Kimi Antonelli
His 9th win of the year. An easy win from start to finish.
And now, all Antonelli basically needs to do next Sunday in Mexico City is finish in the points, and he will become the youngest Formula 1 World Champion ever.
He has been dominant all season long, and deserves all the praise.
Make sure to tune in Sunday to catch history.
