The autumn break in Formula 1 has come to an end: the final phase of the championship, which will consist of six races, begins next weekend in Austin. On the eve of the stage at the Circuit of the Americas, we offer six main end-of-season intrigues, and among them, for the first time since 2021, is the fight for the championship.
Will Max retain the title?
Ahead of the United States Grand Prix, Max Verstappen and Lando Norris are separated by 52 points in the overall standings. It’s a big difference, but given McLaren’s speed in the last few races, Norris has a real chance of winning all the remaining races this year. Verstappen has not won since the Spanish Grand Prix in June, and has even been on the podium, at best, on other occasions.
The reason for the current champion’s relegation is problems with the car. The once invincible Red Bull in just a couple of months became uncontrollable – Max calls the car a monster. However, for the Austin stage, the Austrian team has prepared updates that should fix most of the problems. It is not a fact that this will make Red Bull faster than McLaren, but in Milton Keynes they hope that the fight will now be at least even. Otherwise, the Dutchman will have big problems.
Max is not happy with Milton Keynes:
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Fight in the Constructors’ Championship
Meanwhile, the victory in the Constructors’ Championship at Red Bull seems to have already been lost: McLaren has taken the lead and is already 41 points ahead of the current champions. Furthermore, for six straight stages Woking has averaged twice as many points as Milton Keynes. The Orange scored 119 points during this time.
Max Verstappen and Lando Norris
Photo: Clive Rose/Getty Images
In this case, Red Bull is no longer enough to catch up with McLaren: the current champions must launch a counterattack. Furthermore, with two cars, that is, not only should the car improve, but Sergio Pérez should also begin to overtake at least one of the McLarens. And now it seems unlikely. But could anyone imagine at the start of the season that six rounds before the end of the season, Red Bull’s chances of winning the Constructors’ Championship would be slim?
What is the secret of Woking?
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Mercedes or Ferrari?
The most striking confrontation behind the leaders is the fight between Mercedes and Ferrari. True, it is more likely to take place in the away format: in the Constructors’ Championship, the Germans are behind the Scuderia by more than a hundred points. However, it is still interesting to follow the changing balance of power in the camp of the leaders’ main pursuers.
At the start of the season, Ferrari looked stronger, while Mercedes, even with a completely redesigned chassis, held its ground. Then the Germans improved and, halfway through the season, Hamilton and Russell put together a powerful series with three victories. This pace has disappeared somewhere and now the Scuderia seems faster again. However, the status quo will probably change more than once, even though in some races both Ferrari and Mercedes may join the fight for the top positions.
How it was:
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Red Bull Drivers Solitaire
Just before the United States Grand Prix, Red Bull team principal Christian Horner said the team could no longer afford a big difference between the drivers. This, translated from the language of the paddock, means that Sergio Pérez’s place at Red Bull is under threat, despite the previously signed contract. After all, it is no coincidence that Liam Lawson’s appearances at RB are only confirmed until the end of the season.
Sergio Pérez and Liam Lawson
Photo: Mark Thompson/Getty Images
If the New Zealander is noticeably faster than Tsunoda and Pérez’s good pace in Baku remains an isolated case, replacing Cheko would even be logical. Sergio will have to be replaced at some point, so why wait when Lawson is fit? On the other hand, if Pérez shows that he has put his problems behind him, then it would be a mistake to rush to find a replacement. Overall, Cheko’s career is now completely in his hands.
Ricciardo’s F1 career is over:
Mr. Veselchak F-1: that’s all. The winner of 8 Grand Prix was fired 6 races before the end of the season
Vacancy at Kick-Sauber
Apart from the difficult situation at Red Bull and its junior team RB, the only vacancy left for next year is that of Nico Hulkenberg’s teammate at Kick-Sauber (from 2026 – Audi). The list of candidates for Mattia Binotto, who recently directed the project, is extensive; It even includes Robert Schwartzman, known to the Audi boss from the Ferrari Academy.
The main candidates for this vacancy are Valtteri Bottas and Gabriel Bortoleto. The first has experience and knows the team well, but wants a long-term contract. However, such an Audi can only be offered by a young driver, while Bortoleto is linked to McLaren, and it is not a fact that the Brazilian can sign on suitable terms for Hinwil. Among the contenders, by the way, is another Ferrari graduate, Mick Schumacher.
You won’t envy Hulk in Hinvil:
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Will Colapinto deserve a chance?
Another unexpected candidate for Kick-Sauber could be Franco Colapinto. The Argentine replaced the failed Logan Sargent at Williams and scored more points in two races than the American did in a season and a half! Nobody expected such speed from Franco: Colapinto became a true discovery this year.
Franco Colapinto
Photo: Rudy Carezzevoli/Getty Images
However, there are almost no places left on the starting grid for next year. In the case of Kick-Sauber, Colapinto may have problems due to his connections with Williams, but even if he does not get this place, the young driver has an excellent chance of being in the pencil of the bosses of other teams. However, there are still six races to go and the Argentine can destroy his reputation just as quickly.
The United States Grand Prix will have a strange trophy:
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