The 2022 United States Grand Prix at Circuit of the Americas (COTA) delivered a thrilling and emotional spectacle, highlighted by an intense battle for victory between two of Formula 1’s modern titans: Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen. What began as a challenging race for Hamilton turned into a genuine opportunity for a win, especially after a critical slow pit stop for Verstappen jeopardized his lead. The stakes were high, not only for the drivers but also for Red Bull Racing, who were aiming to clinch the Constructors’ Championship in tribute to their late founder, Dietrich Mateschitz.
The race was a masterclass in strategy, precision, and raw speed, punctuated by dramatic Safety Car periods and the ever-present threat of track limits penalties. Verstappen, known for his aggressive driving style, strayed beyond track boundaries three times, placing him on the cusp of a five-second time penalty that could have cost him the victory. Hamilton, keenly aware of this precarious situation, kept his team and race control alert to any potential infractions, hoping to capitalize on Red Bull’s misfortune.
Unraveling the COTA Thriller: Hamilton vs. Verstappen Showdown
The race commenced with high drama. Pole-sitter Carlos Sainz Jnr had a sluggish start and was subsequently involved in a collision with George Russell, forcing him out of contention almost immediately. This incident elevated Verstappen and Hamilton, who started second and third respectively, into an early fight for the lead. Both drivers opted for the medium compound tires for their opening stint, setting the stage for an intriguing strategic battle. However, it quickly became apparent that Hamilton’s Mercedes lacked the outright pace to match Verstappen’s Red Bull on the same tire compound in the initial laps.
| Lap: 1/56 | |||
| Bonnington | Reports Lance Stroll 0.8 seconds behind. Notes Sainz’s spin at Turn 1. | Lambiase | Informs Max that Hamilton is the car behind and Sainz was tagged at Turn 1. Advises Mode 10 and a 1-second gap to Hamilton. |
| Hamilton | Observes a car running wide at Turn 4. | Lambiase | Confirms the gap to Hamilton is 1.5 seconds. |
| Bonnington | Acknowledges Hamilton’s observation. | ||
| Lap: 2/56 | |||
| Bonnington | Updates Hamilton on positions: Stroll 1.8 seconds behind, Verstappen 1.3 seconds ahead. | Lambiase | Informs Max the gap is 1.5 seconds and confirms Sainz has retired from the Turn 1 incident. |
| Bonnington | Provides further gap updates: Verstappen 1.7 seconds ahead, Stroll 2 seconds behind. | ||
| Lap: 3/56 | |||
| Bonnington | Announces DRS has been enabled. | Lambiase | Notes that high-speed energy saving appears similar to Hamilton in the Esses. |
| Lambiase | Advises Max he can save more energy in Turns 17 and 18, noting strong straight-line gains. | ||
| Lap: 4/56 | |||
| Bonnington | Mentions traction metrics at 3.7 and suggests adjusting Turn 1 entry for a better exit. | Lambiase | Suggests Strat 2, observing Hamilton pushing more in Sector 1 the previous lap, advises to maintain current effort. Confirms satisfaction with Turn 17. |
| Bonnington | Reports the gap to Verstappen is 2.2 seconds and observes Verstappen pushing hard, expecting the gap to the midfield to open. | ||
| Bonnington | Notes Verstappen’s lap time of 42.6 seconds. | ||
As the initial laps unfolded, Red Bull strategists quickly identified that Hamilton was exerting significant pressure on his tires in his pursuit of Verstappen. This insight allowed Verstappen’s race engineer, Gianpiero Lambiase, to instruct his driver to push harder, knowing they had a tire advantage. Verstappen responded, consistently extending his lead over Hamilton by three to four tenths of a second per lap, showcasing the superior pace of the Red Bull RB18.
| Lap: 5/56 | |||
| Hamilton | Asks if the left-side tire is running hot, finding it very difficult to keep pace. | Verstappen | Explains the wind makes conditions tricky, describing it as very gusty. |
| Bonnington | Acknowledges Hamilton’s concern but assures there’s nothing worrying at the moment. | Lambiase | Understands and reports a 2.4-second gap. Cautions Max to control the rear axle in high-speed sections. |
| Lambiase | Provides engine settings (Engine 13, Position 4) and notes Hamilton is pushing in Sector 1, urging Max to keep up. Highlights significant gains in Sector 2. | ||
| Lambiase | Asks Max to switch to Display 8 when convenient. | ||
| Lap: 6/56 | |||
| Bonnington | Reports Verstappen’s lap time of 42.9 seconds. Notes George Russell is 5.2 seconds behind and has a five-second penalty. | Lambiase | Asks Max to switch to Display 5, Position 11, and reports a 2.7-second gap to Hamilton. |
| Bonnington | Updates on gaps: George 5.5 seconds behind, Verstappen 2.7 seconds ahead. | ||
| Lap: 7/56 | |||
| Bonnington | Reports Verstappen’s lap time of 42.8 seconds and advises Hamilton to adjust Turn 11 entry for a better exit. | Lambiase | Informs Max the gap to Hamilton is 2.4 seconds. |
| Lap: 8/56 | |||
| Lambiase | Advises Max he is free to hold sixth gear through Turn 3 and reports a 2.8-second gap. | ||
| Lambiase | Identifies Hamilton’s main delta in the first sector, where he is carrying more speed through Turns 5, 6, 7, and 8. | ||
| Lap: 9/56 | |||
| Bonnington | Confirms the previous message and notes Hamilton’s pace looks better than Verstappen’s 42.8-second lap. | Verstappen | Expresses significant difficulty dealing with the wind conditions. |
| Bonnington | Reminds Hamilton to drink. | Lambiase | Understands Max’s comment and reports a 3.2-second gap. Requests a front wing update from Max when possible. |
| Verstappen | Indicates his front wing is okay. | ||
| Lambiase | Advises Max to use the diff rotary for assistance in high-speed sections. | ||
| Lambiase | Provides a gap update: 3.5 seconds. | ||
| Lap: 10/56 | |||
| Bonnington | Asks Lewis to switch to HP5 Position 10. Reports Verstappen’s lap time of 42.4 seconds. | ||
Strategic Pit Stops and Track Limits: The Race Heats Up
By Lap 11, Mercedes observed Hamilton’s lap times beginning to drop off, and with Verstappen already holding a five-second advantage, they decided to bring Hamilton in for his first pit stop. This proactive strategy aimed to undercut Verstappen and capitalize on fresh tires. The pit window was opening, with other midfield cars also making their stops.
| Lap: 11/56 | |||
| Bonnington | Reports Verstappen’s 42.5-second lap and notes that the tire is past its peak, with midfield stops commencing. | Lambiase | Reports a 3.7-second gap to Hamilton and confirms tire temperatures have peaked. |
| Hamilton | Remarks that the tires feel okay despite the observations. | ||
| Lap: 12/56 | |||
| Bonnington | Reports Verstappen’s lap time of 42.6 seconds. | Lambiase | Cautions Max about a single bump on the run down to Turn 12, advising to stay right. Reports a 4.3-second gap. |
| Hamilton | Inquires about his overall pace. | Lambiase | Informs Max that Lewis was just told to push. |
| Bonnington | Exclaims “Lewis, it’s Hammertime!” | ||
| Bonnington | Issues the call to “Box. Box. Box. Box. Box.” | ||
| Lap: 13/56 | |||
| Bonnington | Advises Strat Mode 4, Start 4, confirming a clear exit with Bottas 4 seconds behind. | Lambiase | Informs Max that Hamilton is in the pit lane. |
| Bonnington | Emphasizes the out-lap is critical. | Verstappen | Asks what the team wants him to do. |
| Bonnington | Reports Verstappen is now in. | Lambiase | Instructs Max he is free to push. |
| Bonnington | Notes a clean stop for Verstappen. | Lambiase | Confirms “Box and pit confirm” to Max. |
| Lambiase | Advises Strat 12 in the pit lane. | ||
| Lap: 14/56 | |||
| Hamilton | Expresses concern that the new tires do not feel great. | Lambiase | Advises Torque 9, Strat 8. Indicates it could be close racing Stroll and Leclerc, confirming Stroll is alongside. |
| Bonnington | Acknowledges the message. | Lambiase | Notes Hamilton is still behind Vettel, Leclerc, and Stroll, instructing Max to manage these tires gently. |
| Verstappen | Inquires about the number of laps completed on the previous stint. | ||
| Lambiase | Confirms 13 laps. | ||
Red Bull’s pit crew executed Verstappen’s first stop half a second quicker than Mercedes’, further consolidating his lead as he rejoined the track. This small but significant gain underlined the intense competition between the two teams.
| Lap: 15/56 | |||
| Bonnington | Reports Perez has pitted and is now 9 seconds behind. | Lambiase | Reminds Max about dash settings in high-speed areas at the start of this stint. Notes Hamilton is still behind Vettel. |
| Lap: 16/56 | |||
| Bonnington | Reports Verstappen’s lap time of 42.2 seconds. | Lambiase | Reports a 6.1-second gap to Hamilton and notes Hamilton has just passed Vettel. |
| Bonnington | Mentions Leclerc is yet to stop, on 15-lap-old medium tires, with a last lap of 42.7 seconds. | ||
Verstappen reclaimed the lead, but his aggressive driving had consequences. He incurred his first warning for exceeding track limits, specifically at Turn 19. Under F1 rules, four such warnings typically result in a five-second time penalty, a threat that would loom large over the remainder of his race.
| Lap: 17/56 | |||
| Bonnington | Informs Hamilton that one lap was deleted for track limits at Turn 19. | Lambiase | Advises Engine 13, Position 10 for Max. Reports a 2.8-second gap behind Leclerc. Notes Hamilton is 6.3 seconds behind, with a pace of 42.0. Inquires about Max’s thoughts on the current tire compound. |
| Bonnington | Reports Verstappen’s 41.9-second lap and Leclerc’s 42.6-second lap. | Verstappen | Mentions feeling unclear and that the grip level does not feel amazing. |
| Lambiase | Acknowledges the feedback. | ||
| Verstappen | Requests slightly less front wing. | ||
| Lambiase | Confirms the request. | ||
Safety Car Disruptions and Strategic Adjustments
The race dynamic shifted dramatically when a sudden gust of wind caught Valtteri Bottas at Turn 19, sending his Alfa Romeo spinning into a gravel trap. This incident necessitated the deployment of the Safety Car, bunching up the field and neutralizing Verstappen’s hard-earned lead. For Hamilton, this period brought a recurrence of a pre-race issue: a problem with his front-left brake, which he had noticed during reconnaissance laps and had parts changed on the grid. This resurfaced during the Safety Car period, adding to Mercedes’ concerns.
| Lap: 18/56 | |||
| Bonnington | Reports a yellow flag at Turn 19 exit, with Valtteri Bottas off in the gravel. | Lambiase | Advises Max to switch to Strat 2 when possible. |
| Bonnington | Announces Safety Car deployment, instructs to keep the delta positive, and confirms they are staying out, advising Strat Mode 1 and to maximize car cooling. | Verstappen | Notes that conditions seem slightly better for overtaking but with less movement at low speeds. |
| Hamilton | Inquires about his pace outlook. | Lambiase | Acknowledges Max’s comments. |
| Bonnington | Instructs to keep the delta tight. Advises Lewis to switch to HPP5, Position 13. Expects to pick up the Safety Car soon. Notes Hamilton’s pace on hard tires isn’t bad, at best only a tenth and a half off Verstappen. | Lambiase | Confirms Safety Car deployment for Bottas in the gravel at Turn 19 exit. Advises Max to stay out and keep the dash positive. |
Following a previous incident at Suzuka where drivers expressed concern over a recovery vehicle on track, race control implemented new protocols. Teams were now explicitly informed when a recovery vehicle was deployed, a crucial piece of information immediately relayed to the drivers for their safety and awareness.
| Lap: 19/56 | |||
| Hamilton | Asks for updates on where he is losing time. | Lambiase | Informs Max that his initial pace on the middle set was the same as Hamilton’s. Notes the same trend as the first stint, with Hamilton pushing more in Sector 1 (Turns 3-8). Commends Max for excellent tire management in the first stint. Reports Leclerc has pitted onto hard tires and is now P4, behind Checo. Hamilton is behind Max on one-lap older hard tires, followed by Checo and then Leclerc. |
| Bonnington | Identifies Turn 11 as the biggest culprit for Hamilton’s issues, noting he’s pushing the entry too much. | Lambiase | Informs Max about a recovery vehicle on track at Turn 19. |
| Hamilton | Explains that even when he adjusts, he doesn’t get the desired exit. | ||
| Bonnington | Acknowledges and promises to investigate. Cautions to keep an eye on the front brakes. | ||
| Hamilton | Asks if the brakes are okay. | ||
| Bonnington | Confirms they are starting to split, advising not to trail the brake pedal too much. Reiterates the presence of a recovery vehicle at Turn 19. Updates that Perez is behind with two-lap newer hard tires, and Leclerc, who just stopped, is behind Perez also on hards. | ||
| Lap: 20/56 | |||
| Hamilton | Complains that the brakes are problematic. | Lambiase | Instructs Max, when the race resumes, to replicate the first stint, managing tires in high-speed sections where he typically gains. Emphasizes that those behind will have to use up their tires in high-speed areas. |
| Bonnington | Notes that on the previous set of tires, the rears had plenty of rubber, but the front-left inner shoulder showed under-rotation. Asks for a balance check during the quiet period. | ||
| Hamilton | Reports that the balance isn’t too bad, but on this tire, he generally feels more oversteer and less front grip. | ||
| Bonnington | Advises Lewis to switch to HPP3, Position 2. | ||
| Bonnington | Predicts the Safety Car will be in this lap, signaling a restart. | ||
The race resumed, with Verstappen skillfully managing the pack for the restart. However, he immediately ran wide again at Turn 19, an observation Hamilton quickly relayed to his team. The green flag period was short-lived. A dramatic collision between Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll resulted in Stroll’s Aston Martin being forced out of the race and scattering significant debris across the back straight, triggering a second Safety Car deployment.
| Lap: 21/56 | |||
| Hamilton | Asks for a reminder: should he still pull back the entry at Turn 1 and Turn 11? | Lambiase | Informs Max to switch to Mode 3 as the Safety Car will be in this lap. |
| Hamilton | Acknowledges and notes that Verstappen is the only car they can see. | Lambiase | Cautions Max to be mindful of front tires at the restart and to set bias offset accordingly. |
| Bonnington | Advises Strat Mode 5 and states the Safety Car is at Turn 15. | Verstappen | Requests to be informed of the Safety Car’s position. |
| Bonnington | Updates Safety Car position to Turn 17, then Turn 19. | Lambiase | Confirms the Safety Car is currently at Turn 18, then Turn 19, and finally, in the pit lane. |
| Lap: 22/56 | |||
| Hamilton | Notes an incident at Turn 19. | Lambiase | Advises Mode 10 and bias offset for Max. Confirms that was Max’s first track limits strike at Turn 19. |
| Bonnington | Acknowledges. Reports Perez is 0.8 seconds behind. | Lambiase | Announces Safety Car deployment due to a large accident between Turn 11 and Turn 12, with significant debris on track. Instructs positive delta. |
| Bonnington | Reiterates Safety Car deployment, positive delta, and advises cooling the car. Reminds Hamilton they are staying out and the Safety Car is at Turn 1. | ||
The engineers on the pit wall had limited visibility of the crash scene, making it difficult to provide precise advice to their drivers on how to navigate the debris. With the field once again compressed, Hamilton’s focus briefly shifted to the Red Bull behind him, as Sergio Perez posed a new threat, adding another layer of pressure to the already intense race.
| Lap: 23/56 | |||
| Bonnington | Confirms significant debris along both sides of the back straight. Reports Stroll is stopped with debris across the entire track, advising to pick a way through. | Lambiase | Informs Max the Safety Car is ahead at Turn 1. |
| Hamilton | Inquires about his pace relative to Sergio Perez. | Lambiase | Notes that the best line through the debris is unclear but potentially staying right along the straight, which is confirmed by race control. Advises to stay right and pick a way through the debris, not to worry about car lengths to the Safety Car but ensure visibility of debris. |
| Bonnington | Advises Hamilton to use his 10-car-length allowance to avoid debris. | Lambiase | Instructs Strat 3 for Max. Informs Max that at the restart, his Sector 1 was two-tenths quicker than Hamilton’s, and Sector 2 was four-tenths quicker. |
| Hamilton | Asks if Stroll is okay. | ||
| Bonnington | Confirms Stroll is out of the car. Inquires how much debris Hamilton sees, as TV pictures aren’t showing much. | ||
| Hamilton | Reports not too much debris, mostly off-line. | ||
| Bonnington | Acknowledges. Notes that determining pace relative to Perez is difficult due to Perez being in traffic for most of the first stint. | ||
| Hamilton | Asks Marcus to analyze Turn 11 on the restart lap, noting Perez went very deep but still managed to stay close. | ||
| Bonnington | Confirms they will investigate. | ||
| Lap: 24/56 | |||
| Bonnington | Regarding Perez, observes he pushed less in Turn 8 for a better Turn 9, then pushed the entry into Turn 11 more. Notes another recovery vehicle on track. | Lambiase | Informs Max about a recovery vehicle on track between Turns 11 and 12. |
Mid-Race Dynamics: Driveability, Gaps, and Leclerc’s Ascent
The race restarted yet again, bringing fresh challenges. Verstappen was instructed to alter an engine setting, which he quickly reported negatively impacted his power delivery and overall driveability. This unexpected issue forced Red Bull to manage not only the race strategy but also the car’s performance in real-time. Meanwhile, Hamilton, having maintained his position, sought to capitalize on any advantage, with his team urging him to push as hard as possible after the lengthy Safety Car periods.
| Lap: 25/56 | |||
| Bonnington | Announces the Safety Car will be in this lap, noting that with extended Safety Car periods, tires should be in a good window. Advises to push, suggesting minimal management, and to stick with Verstappen as best as possible. Calls for Strat Mode 5. Confirms Safety Car lights are out. | Lambiase | Informs Max the Safety Car is in this lap. Notes front tires are potentially four degrees cooler than the previous restart. Advises Mode 3. Reminds Max he has only one track limits strike. Cautions Max that the best line between Turns 11 and 12 at this stage is on the right-hand side, so to stay off the left. |
| Bonnington | Updates Safety Car position to Turn 17, then Turn 19. | Verstappen | Asks for the Safety Car’s location. |
| Lambiase | Confirms Turn 19, then in the pit lane. | ||
| Lap: 26/56 | |||
| Hamilton | Makes an unclear comment. | Lambiase | Cautions Max to watch his slip while tires are cold. Reports current bias offset is minus two. Advises Mode 10. |
| Hamilton | Notes running wide at Turn 20. | Lambiase | Reports the gap. |
| Bonnington | Acknowledges. | Verstappen | Complains about his car’s driveability, calling it “dog shit.” |
| Lambiase | Advises Strat 2 and asks for updates on the strat position, offering to make another change if needed. Reports a 1.1-second gap. | ||
| Lap: 27/56 | |||
| Bonnington | Reports Verstappen is 1.2 seconds ahead, and Perez is 1.2 seconds behind. | Lambiase | Cautions Max to be sensible at Turn 19 to avoid another track limits strike. |
| Lap: 28/56 | |||
| Bonnington | Announces DRS has been enabled. Reports Verstappen is 1.5 seconds ahead, Perez 1.2 seconds behind. | Lambiase | Reports a 1.5-second gap, noting Hamilton is almost at full load through Turn 17, pushing to keep Checo at bay. Advises Max to continue as he is. |
| Lambiase | Notes Max is half a second quicker in Sector 2. | ||
Consistent with earlier observations, Verstappen’s time losses to Hamilton were predominantly in areas where the Red Bull driver was actively managing his tires. This strategy allowed him to preserve tire life for later in the race, a critical element of Red Bull’s approach to maintaining their lead.
| Lap: 30/56 | |||
| Bonnington | Reports Perez is battling with Leclerc, increasing the gap to 2.6 seconds. Suggests introducing more management at Turn 6. | Lambiase | Informs Max that all time losses to Hamilton are in areas of management, specifically high-speed Sector 1 and Turn 17. |
| Lap: 31/56 | |||
| Bonnington | Reports Leclerc has passed, now 3.5 seconds behind, with Verstappen 1.9 seconds ahead. | Lambiase | Reports a 1.8-second gap. Confirms Leclerc is now P3 with a last lap of 41.5 seconds. |
| Bonnington | Notes Leclerc is 3.8 seconds behind. | Lambiase | Asks Max for his thoughts on the tire compounds. |
| Verstappen | Describes the grip as low. | ||
Charles Leclerc, having made an impressive climb through the field from 12th position, pitted under the Safety Car and was now running on a set of hard tires. Red Bull briefly considered the possibility that Leclerc might attempt to complete the race without another pit stop, adding another strategic variable to their calculations.
| Lap: 32/56 | |||
| Lambiase | Reports a 2-second gap. Notes Leclerc’s last lap was 42.0 seconds and suggests he might be managing to the end. Reports a 6-second gap to Leclerc. | ||
| Lap: 33/56 | |||
| Hamilton | Asks to be left to his driving. | Lambiase | Informs Max the gap is 1.8 seconds and expresses willingness to reduce the level of management. |
| Bonnington | Reports Verstappen’s 41.3-second lap. | Verstappen | Notes that the tires are super unpredictable in the wind. |
| Lambiase | Advises Strat 4 and acknowledges the feedback. | ||
A Costly Pit Stop and the Final Duel
Mercedes wasted no time in calling Hamilton in for his second pit stop, a decisive move that initially seemed like a gamble. This time, fortune favored the Silver Arrows. A slow front-left tire change for Verstappen cost Red Bull over eight crucial seconds, handing the effective lead of the race to Hamilton. Mercedes immediately updated their driver on the altered situation, igniting hopes for a long-awaited victory.
| Lap: 34/56 | |||
| Bonnington | Reports Verstappen’s 41-second lap. | Verstappen | States that strat changes are hurting his driveability. |
| Bonnington | Issues the call to “Box opposite Verstappen.” | Lambiase | Acknowledges Max’s comment. |
| Lambiase | Advises Strat 2. | ||
| Lap: 35/56 | |||
| Bonnington | Advises Strat Mode 4, emphasizing out-lap criticality and confirming a clear exit. | Lambiase | Informs Max that Hamilton is in the pit lane and he is free to push. |
| Lambiase | Confirms “Box and pit confirm” to Max. Advises Strat 12 in the pit lane. | ||
| Lap: 36/56 | |||
| Bonnington | Reports a slow stop for Verstappen. Notes Leclerc and Verstappen are just exiting the pit lane, with Leclerc ahead of Verstappen by six seconds. | Lambiase | Instructs Max to focus on his marks. |
| Bonnington | Notes both Leclerc and Verstappen are on medium tires. Confirms 20 laps remaining after crossing the line. | Verstappen | Expresses frustration with an expletive, likely referring to the slow pit stop. |
| Hamilton | Inquires about the gap size. | Lambiase | Advises Strat 8 and reminds Max there’s a long way to go. |
| Bonnington | Reports the gap is currently 6.6 seconds, noting GPS fluctuations. | Verstappen | Replies he doesn’t need to be told that. |
| Hamilton | Asks if the medium tire is faster. | Lambiase | Encourages Max, stating “Max we’re in this together, mate. Head down, come on.” |
Hamilton’s concern mounted as he realized Verstappen had opted for a set of medium tires, which typically offer superior pace compared to his own hard compounds. This strategic divergence meant Hamilton would have to defend against a rapidly approaching, faster rival.
| Lap: 37/56 | |||
| Bonnington | Promises to get back to Hamilton on the tire question. Reports a 5.8-second gap to Leclerc. | Lambiase | Advises Mode 9, then Strat 2 when possible. |
| Bonnington | Assures Lewis that the hard tire looks robust. | ||
Verstappen rapidly closed the gap to Leclerc. Despite their spirited fight for position, Hamilton found himself unable to pull away significantly. Leclerc, though defending valiantly, could only hold Verstappen back for a single lap before the Red Bull driver executed a decisive pass in a DRS zone. Lambiase, ever mindful of tire preservation, advised Verstappen not to push his mediums too hard, emphasizing the need to keep life in them for the crucial final laps of his pursuit of Hamilton.
| Lap: 38/56 | |||
| Bonnington | Reports Leclerc and Verstappen are pushing hard on mediums, with the current gap at 4.8 seconds. | ||
| Hamilton | Inquires about Verstappen’s lap times. | ||
| Bonnington | Reports Leclerc and Verstappen are in the high 39-second range. | ||
| Lap: 39/56 | |||
| Bonnington | Reports the gap is 4.7 seconds, with Leclerc and Verstappen now battling hard. | Lambiase | Congratulates Max. |
| Hamilton | Questions his own pace, stating he doesn’t think he’s that fast. | ||
| Bonnington | Notes that while the two were battling, they were doing 40.2-second laps. Reports Verstappen is now through and 4.7 seconds behind. | ||
| Lap: 40/56 | |||
| Hamilton | Calls out blue flags. | Lambiase | Advises Mode 7 for Max. Reports a 4.5-second gap to Hamilton with 17 laps remaining. |
| Bonnington | Notes the car ahead is yet to stop. | Lambiase | Confirms Hamilton is on hard tires. |
| Verstappen | Asks about the gap behind him. | ||
| Lambiase | Reports a 1-second gap behind. Reminds Max of his consistent three-tenth advantage throughout the race and advises letting the gap close naturally with tire saving. | ||
| Lap: 41/56 | |||
| Bonnington | Reports Verstappen’s last lap was 40.1 seconds. | Verstappen | Asks again about the gap behind. |
| Lambiase | Reports a 0.7-second gap behind. | ||
| Lambiase | Reports a 3.5-second gap ahead. | ||
| Lambiase | Reports the gap behind is 0.8 seconds, same as the last lap, and that the car has DRS. Identifies Vettel ahead, who is racing Max on 23-lap-old medium tires, noting Vettel’s last lap was strong. | ||
| Lap: 42/56 | |||
| Lambiase | Reports Hamilton’s last lap was 40.2 seconds. Updates the gap to 2.8 seconds, then 3.3 seconds, noting Hamilton is a tenth quicker in Sector 1. | ||
| Verstappen | Inquires about the gap behind as well. | ||
| Lambiase | Reports a 0.9-second gap behind, confirming DRS. | ||
Mercedes kept Hamilton well-informed of Verstappen’s relentless progress. The Red Bull driver was steadily closing the distance, highlighting the speed advantage of his medium tires and the strategic pressure on Hamilton.
| Lap: 43/56 | |||
| Bonnington | Reports 14 laps remaining. Notes Verstappen’s 40.0-second lap. | Lambiase | Reports a 0.8-second gap behind. Notes a 3.3-second gap ahead and attributes a poor middle sector to Max on that lap. |
| Bonnington | Suggests Hamilton consider third gear for Turns 13 and 15 to help with ERS temperatures. | Lambiase | Reports a 1-second gap, then 0.9 seconds behind. |
| Lap: 44/56 | |||
| Bonnington | Informs Hamilton that a lap was deleted at Turn 9. | Lambiase | Reports a 2.7-second gap ahead. Notes Hamilton’s last lap was 40.3 seconds. |
| Hamilton | Asks for the gap. | Lambiase | Notes Leclerc does not have DRS this lap and that Max was two-tenths quicker in Sector 1 than Hamilton this lap. |
| Bonnington | Reports a current 2.6-second gap to Verstappen, with his last lap being 39.8 seconds. | Lambiase | Reports a 1.2-second gap behind. |
| Lap: 45/56 | |||
| Bonnington | Reports the gap at 2.4 seconds, and a last lap of 40.4 seconds. | Lambiase | Reports Hamilton’s last lap was 40.8 seconds, with a 2.3-second gap ahead and 1.3 seconds behind. |
| Bonnington | Asks Lewis to update his tire switch for Safety Car. | Lambiase | Advises Mode 10 for Max. Notes the wind is picking up. |
| Lambiase | Reports the gap behind is now 2 seconds, with the same pace ahead. | ||
| Lap: 46/56 | |||
| Bonnington | Reports the gap at 2.5 seconds, with Verstappen’s lap time of 40.0 seconds. | Lambiase | Reports a 2.5-second gap, with Hamilton’s last lap being 39.8 seconds. |
| Lambiase | Notes Hamilton is saving less in Turns 6 and 7 and is at full load in Turn 17. | ||
| Lambiase | Reports Max is four-tenths quicker in Sector 2 this lap. | ||
| Lap: 47/56 | |||
| Bonnington | Reports the gap at 2.2 seconds. | Lambiase | Reports 10 laps remaining, with a 2-second gap ahead. Notes the gap behind is now 3.7 seconds. |
| Lap: 48/56 | |||
| Bonnington | Advises Lewis to consider third gear for Turn 11 and Turn 12 for ERS temperatures. | Lambiase | Reports Hamilton’s last lap was 40.6 seconds. |
While Verstappen’s recovery to Hamilton was gradual, once he entered DRS range, the overtake for the lead was swift and decisive. However, a momentary power loss from his battery briefly complicated matters. More critically, Verstappen was accumulating track limits warnings, collecting his third strike and leaving him just one infraction away from a costly five-second penalty. Hamilton, ever the observant competitor, repeatedly highlighted potential infringements to his team, hoping to trigger the penalty that could hand him the win.
| Lap: 49/56 | |||
| Bonnington | Reports the gap to Verstappen is 1.1 seconds. | ||
| Lap: 50/56 | |||
| Lambiase | Advises Mode 9 for Max, with seven laps remaining. Reports the gap is 0.9 seconds. | ||
| Verstappen | Complains about clipping into Turn 11, questioning the issue. | ||
| Lambiase | Notes some movement under braking but praises Max’s good job. | ||
| Lap: 51/56 | |||
| Hamilton | Remarks on the Red Bull’s incredible straight-line speed. | Lambiase | Confirms the overtake is available. Offers to cancel the clip by switching back to Mode 10. |
| Bonnington | Acknowledges Hamilton’s comment and urges him to try and stay with Verstappen. | Verstappen | Acknowledges the advice. |
| Hamilton | Reports Verstappen has gone off track again. | Lambiase | Instructs Max to handle it himself. |
| Bonnington | Acknowledges. Requests HPP default 17. | Verstappen | Asks for the gap. |
| Lambiase | Reports a 0.8-second gap. | ||
| Lambiase | Emphasizes that Max needs to ensure he is safe on track limits, reporting the gap was 0.9 seconds. | ||
| Lap: 52/56 | |||
| Bonnington | Reiterates the request for HPP default 17. | Lambiase | Informs Max he has used up all his strikes and must be safe on track limits. Reports a 0.7-second gap, same as the last lap, specifically mentioning Turn 9 and 19 for track limits violations. |
| Bonnington | Confirms Max now has three strikes. | ||
| Lap: 53/56 | |||
| Hamilton | Reports Verstappen went off at Turn 20. | Lambiase | Reports a 0.9-second gap and cautions Max to watch his balance through Turn 17. |
| Bonnington | Acknowledges. | Lambiase | Reports a 0.7-second gap, same as last lap. |
| Hamilton | Reports another unclear incident at Turn 9. | ||
| Bonnington | Acknowledges. | ||
The pressure of track limits wasn’t solely on Verstappen. Hamilton also reached his third warning, receiving a black-and-white flag. With Charles Leclerc less than five seconds behind, Hamilton also had to exercise extreme caution to avoid a penalty that could cost him a podium finish. Ultimately, Verstappen extended his lead to 5.023 seconds, a margin sufficient to guarantee his win even if a late penalty for track limits had been applied.
| Lap: 54/56 | |||
| Bonnington | Announces Hamilton’s third strike, resulting in a black-and-white flag. | Lambiase | Reports a 1.1-second gap, confirming no DRS for Hamilton. Informs Max that Hamilton also has three track limits strikes, advising Max to keep it safe from here. Notes three laps remaining. |
| Lambiase | Confirms the gap is still 1.1 seconds, with no DRS. | ||
| Lap: 55/56 | |||
| Hamilton | Comments on the tires. | Lambiase | Reports a 2.2-second gap behind, noting Leclerc’s last lap was 41.2 seconds. |
| Bonnington | Acknowledges. Notes two laps remaining, with Leclerc four seconds behind. | Lambiase | Confirms the gap is still 2.2 seconds. |
| Bonnington | Notes Leclerc is still 3.9 seconds behind and advises to stay well within track limits. | Lambiase | Reports a 3-second gap. |
A Championship Triumph and Emotional Tributes
As Max Verstappen crossed the finish line to claim a hard-fought victory, the emotions were palpable. While Mercedes offered commiserations to Lewis Hamilton for his valiant effort, the Red Bull garage erupted in celebration. Verstappen’s win not only marked his 13th victory of the season but also secured the Constructors’ Championship for Red Bull Racing, a deeply meaningful achievement dedicated to the late team founder Dietrich Mateschitz, whose passing had been announced just the day before. The victory was a fitting and emotional tribute to his legacy, underscoring the team’s resilience and collective spirit.
| Lap: 56/56 | |||
| Bonnington | Announces the final lap. | Lambiase | Confirms the final lap, with a 3.5-second gap, instructing Max to cruise home. |
| Bonnington | Congratulates Lewis on a great drive and a splendid day, praising his excellent pace. Expresses how close it was but reassures they will get them next time. Requests HP1, Position 14, and advises Lewis to cool the car. | Horner | Congratulates Max Verstappen on becoming World Champion and Red Bull on being Constructors’ Champions. Expresses immense gratitude to Dietrich Mateschitz for his contributions to the team and dedicates the championships to him. |
| Hamilton | Affirms giving his absolute best. Commends the team for great pit stops and strategy. Expresses the feeling of being “so close but so far.” Vows to keep pushing and thanks all supporters. | Verstappen | Confirms the win was definitely for Dietrich. Explains he gave it everything despite the pit stop issue. Congratulates the team on an amazing season and the Constructors’ Championship, stating they truly deserve it. |
| Bonnington | Praises Lewis’s performance, stating he wouldn’t expect anything less. | Lambiase | Congratulates Max on a fantastic result and another milestone, his 13th win. |
| Verstappen | Notes three more chances to add to that tally. | ||
| Lambiase | Acknowledges the three chances and commends Max for doing it in style. | ||
| Verstappen | Describes it as a bit hectic but a good job. | ||
| Lambiase | Requests Fail 84 if not already done. | ||
| Lambiase | Informs Max he is returning to the pit lane. | ||
| Lambiase | Advises P1, then P0. | ||
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