P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Mercedes and McLaren haven’t had many chances to beat Max Verstappen and Red Bull in 2023. But did they let a big opportunity go begging on Sunday at Austin? Here’s what our writers think
Max Verstappen and Red Bull dominated the 2023 Formula 1 season, giving their rivals few opportunities to win races. However, in the United States Grand Prix, Verstappen’s low grid position and braking issues provided a chance for Mercedes and McLaren to challenge. Mercedes should have had more confidence in themselves and taken the opportunity to compete against Verstappen. The surprise performance of their car in the race showed that they could have potentially challenged Red Bull. McLaren, although facing an uphill battle, had a chance to win with Lando Norris leading for a portion of the race. However, strategic choices and a two-stop strategy ultimately hindered their chances. Overall, both Mercedes and McLaren missed out on the chance to capitalize on Verstappen’s difficulties.
Source: The Race
