WHAT a fantastic performance from the Mercedes team in Brazil last weekend. 

After Mexico some observers were saying that the World Championship was heading towards Red Bull and Max Verstappen, but with Valtteri Bottas winning the Sprint and then Lewis putting in an exceptional performance in the Grand Prix, things now look very different.

That’s what is exciting about this year’s World Championship.  From one weekend to the next, from one type of race track to another, the battle shifts from Red Bull to Mercedes and back again.  Each car has its strengths and weaknesses, and the battle is so finely balanced that circuit characteristics have a really big impact.

You could see this in Interlagos from the way Max was very quick in the middle sector – the more technical part of the track – while Lewis’s strong point was the long run up the hill and down to Turn 1, then again down to Turn 4.  It was clear Lewis’s package was better.

I have won the Brazilian Grand Prix from pole position twice and it’s those first and third sectors which really offer the best overtaking opportunities, so having the right engine power, mechanical and aero set-up for those is critical.

He had it all to do, powering through the crowd to come from 10th for the win

Just 14 points separate Verstappen and Hamilton. Can the Brit pull of the unthinkable and claim the crown?#BrazilGP | #F1 https://t.co/H01u8kjt93 pic.twitter.com/LB9m9C9XWi

— Unibet (@unibet) November 15, 2021

Let’s get into the controversies.

The first came after Friday qualifying when Lewis’s car was found to have a DRS gap that was 0.2mm larger than the 85mm gap which is allowed.  This is a tiny error, and only occurred on one side of the wing – it was legal in the middle and on the other side – and the FIA Stewards were sure this had not been done deliberately by the team.  

I also think that the performance benefit would have been nothing significant.  It might even have been a problem because you need every element of the car’s aero balance to be perfect.

Whatever the case, the measurements were clear and the decision went against Lewis and the team.  This is tough for anyone to take, so I can understand why the team felt strongly about the decision.  

In a sport dominated by data, it would be interesting for someone to do an analysis of a DRS gap being 0.2mm high on one side!

What is so interesting, however, is that by putting Lewis to the back of the grid for the Sprint qualifying race I believe both he and the team channeled their anger into something really positive.  It gave them more motivation, a real determination to treat the Sprint like the first part of the Grand Prix, with Sunday’s race completing their strategy.

As a driver you know the best way to achieve success is to channel your energy into speed.  There is no point in getting emotional and over-driving.  It is so much better to say ‘right, I am going to dig even deeper.’ 

While Valtteri did a really perfect job in the Sprint by taking the lead from Max, Lewis’s performance was so impressive to watch.  I think he overtook four cars at the start and in just half an hour worked his way up to 5th.  It showed everyone just how strong he would be on Sunday.

After Max got to the jump on Valtteri into Turn 1, the pace of the Red Bull’s never looked likely to keep Mercedes behind.  Lewis had to start 10th of course, due to a 5-place engine penalty, but he was up to 4th very quickly while Valtteri moved over and gave him a clean run at the Red Bulls. 

P20 P5@LewisHamilton put on an overtaking show on Saturday!#BrazilGP #F1Sprint pic.twitter.com/erH6WjvMIi

— Formula 1 (@F1) November 13, 2021

I think Sergio Perez did a brilliant job defending against Lewis, but the battle with Max was always going to be quite different.

Max is at the top of his career, leading the World Championship and determined to keep Lewis behind.  What happened at Turn 4 on lap 48 was an example of how hard Max is prepared to push.  Keeping the steering wheel open is an easy way to intimidate a rival, but it can also lead to a collision.  In that case you never know what might happen.

I am not sure that intimidating Lewis will work.  He likes a challenge.  It gives him extra focus!

I was team mate to Ayrton Senna and a rival to Michael Schumacher, two drivers who sometimes used very aggressive tactics.  There is a famous photograph of me talking to Michael after the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa in 2000, explaining to him why I was unhappy about some of his tactics.  I love hard racing, but the racing needs to happen on the track.

I was personally happy to see Race Control let both Max and Lewis continue.  Both cars left the track, and they rejoined in the same order with no damage done.  Again, like with the disqualification, I am sure it gave Lewis increased motivation.  When Michael tried to put me off the track in Spa, it made me absolutely determined to make the overtake – which is the one everyone remembers.  

With three races to go I think we will see more excellent racing.  The right way to win the Championship is to race hard but fair, with brilliant overtaking and the victory being decided by the chequered flag.  This is such a good World Championship I really do not want accidents, penalties and Stewards meetings to determine the final result!