Portuguese GP 2021: Race Report

We've had a duel in the desert and a thriller in Imola. Round 3 was the spar in the Algarve. It was tense, and it was tasty.

In a Nutshell…

Despite the big battle this season being between Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen, the man who struggled last time out, Valtteri Bottas, grabbed pole position on Saturday. Hamilton was the equivalent of 20cm further back, and Verstappen lined up third, with his fastest lap, good enough for pole, deleted due to violating track limit rules. 

Ferrari's Carlos Sainz impressed, out-qualifying his teammate for fifth. Meanwhile, Daniel Ricciardo did quite the opposite, qualifying 16th as he continues to struggle with his new McLaren. 

There was limited action on the first tour of the Grand Prix, with most holding position and keeping it tidy. However, a lapse of concentration at high speed saw Kimi Raikkonen drive into the back of his teammate and out of the race - never a good idea. That brought out a safety car.

Once Kimi's car had been cleared away, Verstappen caught Hamilton napping momentarily to take second position. The top three of Bottas, Verstappen and Hamilton then pulled away. Hamilton was the fastest, though, capitalising on a mistake by Verstappen to catch the Dutchman on the pit straight and dive boldly down the inside to take second. A matter of laps later, Hamilton drove around the outside of his teammate to snatch the lead and not look back.

Verstappen and Bottas pitted late in the race to compete for the extra point awarded to the driver with the fastest lap. Crossing the line, Verstappen thought the point was his. However, it later became clear that he'd gained an advantage by leaving the track, and so the point went to Bottas.

Elsewhere, Perez recovered from a sloppy start to take a solid fourth, a solid Norris and a battling Ricciardo scored points for McLaren, and Alpine looked much more potent than in past races with a double points finish. 

Biggest Winner: Lewis Hamilton

Lewis Hamilton is the obvious candidate from this weekend - he won the race with a classy performance. This consistently high level is why he is such a record-breaker.

Toto Wolff mentioned that Hamilton's exceptional performances had become a norm. As usual, the Austrian was right. Perhaps Lewis' clinical performance is so expected that it dilutes the enormity of what we see from him. 

Previously, an off-day for Lewis would be a distant fourth or fifth position, whereas now, an off day sees him recover from crashing to finish second position, as seen in Imola. Many characterised this Grand Prix as boring. However, it might have been a classic were one of the other drivers to have pulled off what Hamilton did. 

Biggest Loser: Daniel Ricciardo

I am a huge fan of Daniel Ricciardo, but he walks away from perhaps his most challenging weekend to date in F1. He didn't have many reasons for his lack of pace in qualifying, and it was disastrous to be knocked out in Q3 in the third fastest car.

 Danny managed to fight back to ninth in the race to grab a couple of points, but he'd be hard-pressed to repeat such a feat in Spain or Monaco. The Australian therefore needs to get his performance together mighty fast. In a season with limited testing, the drivers in new teams have struggled. Daniel, though, has found life most challenging and can look across the garage at an in-form Lando Norris who has delivered thus far. Despite being known for drinking from his shoe, Danny Ric is a classy man - hopefully, he'll be back in the fight for podiums soon. 

Moment of the weekend: The fastest lap shoot out

When Bottas and the Red Bull drivers admitted defeat to Hamilton, they took it in turns to put on some fresh, fast, soft tyres and go for the fastest lap of the race for the extra point. A gimmick? Maybe, but it certainly allowed the race to finish with a bang.

In the days before the Portuguese Grand Prix, F1 confirmed three trial races this year to have a new Qualifying format. It involves holding qualifying on Friday, an extra sprint race on Saturday and then a Grand Prix on a Sunday, with the starting positions determined by the result from Saturday. Many, including myself, are sceptical of whether such changes will add to the series. But, as I mentioned on social media at the time, the current F1 format that many know, love and complain about came about from trying something new. Without innovation, this sport will stand still, either becoming boring or descending into anarchy, akin to football and the Super League. 

The end of Sunday's goes to show, fiddling with the format of F1 is not necessarily a bad thing. People were sceptical of the bonus point for the fastest lap. However, it created the moment of the race, so surely change can't be that bad.

Honourable Mention: Pato O’Ward

Alonso, Ocon or Schumacher are all deserving winners of this award. However, I'm going to give it to Pato O'Ward. 

I wasn't sure who he was either until, this weekend, he won his first IndyCar race for McLaren. Zak Brown, also the team boss of McLaren on that side of the pond, promised the 21-year-old Mexican Pato a test in a McLaren F1 car if he won a race. Why does this matter? It's a glimmer of hope for the future that Zak Brown will enable talent in the states to try their hand in F1 - something that previously hasn't happened for many reasons, not least, F1 personnel turning their nose up at the perceived inferior series that is IndyCar.

Yes, Pato is Mexican, and he may not make it to F1 or even have a desire to move. Nonetheless, if he can get a shot, maybe an American driver will in the future. An American driver is the most significant component needed by F1 to grow its popularity stateside, something which may make F1 even more exciting and international.

AJontheLine Line of the week: "Max Verstappen is starting to find out how good Lewis Hamilton is"

Nico Rosberg is quickly becoming popular as a TV pundit for his refreshing honesty and fascinating insight into competing with Sir Lewis Hamilton. In reacting to the Grand Prix, he made the headline-grabbing observation that "Max Verstappen is starting to find out how good Lewis Hamilton is" and that he is "making too many mistakes". 

I suppose that's the primary take-away from this weekend - Lewis and Max are two of the most excellent drivers in the world in closely matched machinery. This means that the winning man will be the one who makes the least amount of mistakes. Max has lost a victory, a pole and a fastest lap due to track limit-related errors. Lewis has also made mistakes in Imola and Portugal. However, with a bit of luck, he recovered from them both. This relentless nature is something that Max has not competed against for a title since perhaps his karting days. Rosberg had to sacrifice his life to beat Hamilton and retired after doing so - he is more qualified than anyone to judge Max as he tests himself against the very best.

The good news is that it is already race week, so not too long to find out who comes out on top in Spain. Speak to you then and, if you haven't already, check out the AJontheLine race review podcast.

I reckon I’ve fixed European football. Here’s how.

Last week, some businessmen that fancied a new yacht and thought that they could help themselves to the soul of the world's biggest sport to pay for it. The football world quite understandably erupted with rage for two days before declaring itself victor. 

The European Super League (ESL) was a PR disaster but the reality is that the problem won't go away. Fear not -  I think I've got the solution to the complicated, controversial and cherished crossword that is European football. Hear me out.

What is the European Super League?

The general premise of the ESL is for the biggest brands in European club football - and Tottenham - to create their own league. Big matches between the world's best every week. As interested as I am in watching West Brom beat Chelsea, I can't deny that Manchester United against Barcelona is a better sell for an increasingly global audience. So from the perspective of a punter in New York or New Delhi, the ESL sounds pretty appealing. The subsequent driving factor for the project is that clubs will make a lot more money each season - some reports say almost double that of the Premier League champions.

From what I can tell, there are three significant problems with this cunning plan.

Firstly, many football fans live close to their clubs and go to the games when there isn't a pandemic on. As has been said multiple times, the fans make sports what they are. For instance, I couldn't really enjoy the game between Aston Villa and Manchester City as much as the enthralling Australian Rugby game I watched this morning. Why? The atmosphere of a generator reminiscent of a supermarket dairy aisle is incomparable with the roar of a crowd in a caldron of joy. The ESL relies on fans travelling from country to country on a weekly basis to make the spectacle any good. In a time where many are struggling financially, few of the proper can afford to travel to Newcastle away, let alone Turin. 

Secondly, European sports are generally based on the principles of meritocracy. The proposed ESL would see the founding clubs protected from relegation and the remaining slots invitation only. That goes against more than a century of football's pyramid system in which anyone can dream of reaching the top. This notion is essential for our definition of sport and the fans, but also for the government, which deem meritocratic sport as crucial for keeping the public happy.

The final reservation surrounds the funding of smaller football clubs and the grassroots of the sport. Without the interest and money brought to football by the most prominent teams, smaller clubs wouldn't get the funding from the leagues to continue. This wouldn't just make the FA cup a lot shorter; it would erode the community feel that local football clubs can generate all aground Europe. Without sport, we would hardly feel identity, and that’s sad.

Let’s make the Champions League a league

The ESL, in its current format, is clearly unfit for purpose. But the reality is that the problem won't go away - clubs are owned by businesses that want to make money, and the money-making matches are the big team clashes. The football governing body UEFA know this too. Why else would they be trying to reform the champions leagues setup?

If you ask me, though, UEFA's proposed changes to the Champions League are not radical enough.

The Champions League should be a competition for the top two clubs from each European national top league. These top two teams wouldn't get involved in national league competitions but continue competing in national cup competitions such as the FA Cup. This means that the teams would have the time to play every team once. The Champions League finals would then see the top 16 clubs doing a knock-out stage to decide the champions.  

The top club from each nation would stay in the Champions League while the other, irrelevant of their league position, is relegated back to the Premier League (or equivalent top tier national league) with the top national league champions promoted.

To be clear, those in the Champions League would not play in the top national tier because otherwise, the fixtures would be impossible. The financial advantage of the Champions League competitors, as we see today, would also give them an edge over their opponents. So domestic competitions such as the FA Cup would be more competitive.

The Big Picture

Before you become trigger-happy with the keyboard, let's consider the significant concerns and adapt European football to the economic pressures that will continue to push for change.

The priority is the fans. I stand by the issue that fans may have in travelling to various parts of Europe to see their team play. It is undeniably an issue. However, it will only impact two clubs per nation, which will earn more from the Champions League. Surely some of those funds can go into subsidising away fans' ticket prices. Also, half of the games will be at home, hence, accessible to local fans. Sport is nothing without its supporters - there will be a solution to ensure fans remain number one be that through subsidies or other means.

My suggestion does meet the criteria of most of the complaining fans to whom I've spoken. Promotion and relegation maintain a connectedness between the top and bottom of each national pyramid - anyone can still make it to the top, and long may that continue. The relegation of the lowest-performing national team will also generate greater intra-nation competition, adding a new dimension to 'local rivalry'. 

Connectedness between the top and bottom means that the money made from 'big games' in the Champions League can be invested in the grassroots while engaging a more global audience. Doing so will tangibly achieving what the ESL said they would without the need for exclusivity. Uneven finances are probably the biggest issue in football. The Champions League already pays bonuses to more 'historic' clubs, irrelevant of their success. A similar story was the case in F1, with teams like Ferrari receiving loyalty bonuses. Last year, though, F1 tightened its belt and made the prize money distribution fairer. To save football from tripping over its trousers again, it should follow suit, with larger clubs making small sacrifices to help their rivals and the wider sport survive.

Most of the football world agree that changes are required. While the ESL was not the right way to go, the game needs to jump soon or risk being left behind. By no means are my ideas perfect - where there are winners, there are inevitably losers. Of course, the winners should be the fans, and I believe that these changes do exactly that.

Let me know what you think in the comments below.

Imola GP 2021: Race Report

If the first two rounds of this F1 season are anything to go by, 2021 will be a hell of a year - in a good way.

Summary

Lewis Hamilton stormed to pole position, on Saturday, despite the Red Bulls having the superior machinery. 

Sunday brought rain to the classic Imola track, with drivers starting on wet tyres. Max Verstappen was the fastest away from third on the grid, with a fantastically judged move on Hamilton into turn 2. 

As the drivers pitted for dry tyres, Hamilton seemed to have the faster car and was catching Verstappen, but unusually, he made a mistake and hit the barrier while lapping George Russell. This dropped the champion to ninth, but he was saved from further losses by a red flag, which came out due to a massive crash between Russell and Bottas into Tambarullo.

Following the race restart, Verstappen pulled out a gap to take victory ahead of Hamilton, who fought back to P2 and Lando Norris, who drove a super race to achieve his second podium. 

Elsewhere, Sergio Perez couldn’t convert a mega P2 starting position with a scruffy race. He wasn’t alone, with many drivers at new treats struggling for confidence at a wet and challenging Imola. 

That’s a race win apiece between the GOAT and the Dutch challenger, with Hamilton leading the championship by a point due to getting the fastest lap. 

I like F1 in 2021.

Biggest Winner: Max Verstappen

Verstappen was imperious on Sunday and took a well-deserved victory. From the overtake on Hamilton to how he controlled the race without mistake, Max came close to perfection. He seemed a bit rattled on the radio as Hamilton closed in, but I think that we all would in that situation. He nearly lost the lead at the race restart with a clumsy slide across the curbs. Charles Leclerc helped by not knowing that it was a rolling restart due to radio issues. But even if Leclerc had got Max, I sense he would have won anyway - the Dutchman and Hamilton are in a league of their own. While Hamilton managed an escape perhaps comparable to West Brom in 2005, Max made the fewest mistakes and should be proud of his mature drive to victory. 

Biggest Loser: George Russell

Being in F1 is about not just accumulating points and wins but ensuring that your stock as a driver is as high as possible. Sunday saw George Russell’s stock take a hit. 

The Brit was doing brilliantly, challenging Valtteri Bottas for ninth in harsh conditions. On warmer tyres and possessing greater confidence, Russell looked to pass Bottas on the outside on the left-handed kink before Tamburello. However, despite having space, he lost control on the still wet track and grass, spinning into Bottas and taking them straight to the scene of a high-speed accident. For me, the stewards were correct to label it a racing incident, caused chiefly by Russell. Should Russell have gone for the move? Absolutely. 

As for what the drivers thought, Bottas pointed the blame with his middle finger at a furious, adrenaline-fuelled Russell, who maintained that Bottas moved late, causing the incident. 

Toto Wolff needs to decide whether Lewis Hamilton’s 2022 teammate will be the tried tested Bottas or the young but raw talent of George Russell. Neither of them did themselves any favours on Sunday. Bottas shouldn’t have been in ninth, which Hamilton later turned into second, and Russell should not have made a mistake. The big issue that Wolff will have with Russell, though, will be the lack of ownership and responsibility taken by George for his error. Mercedes operates famously on a ‘no-blame culture’. Even if Russell felt Bottas was to blame, Wolff would want Russell to address the media in the considered and diplomatic fashion that he has maintained up to this point in his short F1 career.

The narrative now is not Russell beating a Mercedes or scoring his first points. Instead, it paints Russell as a hot-headed, finger-pointing youngster. A stark portrayal to that of Russell’s rivals: Norris, Verstappen and Leclerc on the same day. Hopefully, George will bounce back. 

Since writing the above, George has released a statement, apologising and taking responsibility for his part in the clash. What I said still applies.

Moment of the Race: Max’s pass on Lewis

Max’s overtake into the first braking zone of the race was very much Lewis-esque in that it was firm but fair. He showed a slow-starting Hamilton to the outside of the track in a fine racing manoeuvre, showing the respect and maturity between the two in bucket-loads. I cannot wait for more battles between the two, but I will call it now - Lewis and Max will crash at some point this season. While they respect one another, neither will give an inch. Watch this space before they run out of it.

Honourable Mention: Miami GP

It’s a bit off topic but still highly relevant for the future of Formula One - there will be a Miami Grand Prix in 2022. The circuit will go around the Miami Dolphins stadium. From the track details that I’ve seen, racing could be pretty good with the looping corner before the pit straight, hopefully encouraging overtaking. Austin is an excellent venue for a Grand Prix and should not be forgotten. For Formula One to develop in the United States as Liberty Media wish, getting more US races (and drivers) will be essential in achieving that. A 10 year contract also shows that they’re not messing around. A good move for F1. How about Africa next?

AJontheLine Line of the Weekend: “Move on, let’s race”.

Having put in a storming lap, good enough for P3, in qualifying, Lando Norris was gutted to find out that his time had been deleted for exceeding track limits. It was a matter of millimetres and demoted Lando to P7. Still, I’m glad that the FIA were strict with him after the mud-like transparency of track limits in Bahrain. After posting on social media to apologise to his team and the fans, Norris received an uplifting message of reply from the polesitter, Lewis Hamilton. 

“Nobody can knock you for giving it your all. Amazing lap. It’s great to see you and the team shine. Move on, let’s race”. 

Race they did, with the two of them achieving the 699th and the 700th British podium in F1. 

Italy is known for making many tasty things. As F1 heads to a double header in Portugal and Spain, the prospect is mouth-watering.

10/10 Series: Big Picture - Lewis Hamilton

Throughout the 10/10 Series, we have learned about the different components making up a champion. There are seemingly endless directions in which an athlete can and must grow. All are important. However, you will rarely begin your career complete in all of the components that we have discussed. As they progress in their discipline, sportspeople grow, advancing as close to perfection as possible. As experience increases, so does performance. To be a champion, you must learn your sport's breadth and depth, and they come with time.

Of course, the rise of your performance must plateau and then decrease at some stage. Often, this is because your body is unable to do what it used to. Performance also may decrease due to declining motivation or your team or employer moving on. Maintaining longevity in itself is a skill. Understanding the bigger picture is essential for increasing and maintaining one's peak in their sport. We have already spoken about the ways that athletes such as Michael Jordan managed such a feat. This week, we shall look in detail at one of the most exceptional Formula One drivers and successful athletes to represent the UK. He is still rising and winning, he is a champion on and off the track, and his name is Sir Lewis Hamilton.

At 36, Hamilton knows Formula One reasonably well. He has just finished his fourteenth season, having had dominant cars as well as average cars. He has been in the championship fight ten times and won seven of them. There have been spectacular highs and worrying lows. This is the nature of any sport, and these moments have made him the man he is today. Lewis shows no signs of slowing down either. As long as he signs a contract with Mercedes soon, he can astonishingly make it a century of wins and eight world titles in 2021. Madness.

The result of having been through these experiences is that Hamilton has become more potent with time. Those who have worked closely with him have spoken of the champion's relentless performance analysis. Between runs, he will make notes. After sessions, he will push himself and his engineers to find more performance. As Toto Wolff said after Lewis won last year’s Belgian Grand Prix, 'you would think he's finished 15th'. The gains seen are often marginal, yet, vital to success. 

During his early years, there will have been instances in which Lewis will have learned from, making his stronger for the future. As a rookie, having Fernando Alonso as his teammate will have taught Hamilton many things, not least how to go head to head with Nico Rosberg so effectively when he moved to Mercedes. We still hear the scars of the fateful race that year, in China, which saw Lewis slide off the track on tyres well past their best. He is mocked nowadays for worrying too much about his tyre degradation - experience gives him good reason to be. But, ultimately, that experience is what has made him one of the best in the business at driving fast without damaging his tyres. 

Other key learning points include: driving a bad car to victory in 2009, coming under pressure from the media in 2011 and learning the power of being himself when he moved to Mercedes. These are just some of the defining moments that have affected Lewis Hamilton as a person and competitor. They are what separate him from the likes of Max Verstappen or Charles Leclerc. Lewis has gathered more puzzle pieces on his journey.

Lewis' move to Mercedes was probably the most criticised decision that he ever made in Formula One. It was also his best. Of course, the car was incredible. New regulations in 2014 saw Mercedes go from competing for points to being the team to beat. Six more world championships have followed Hamilton's move to Mercedes so far. 

Equipment aside, Mercedes allowed Lewis Hamilton to be free of the more corporate character that Ron Dennis and McLaren had made, giving Lewis the chance to grow up. The team bosses of Toto Wolff and Niki Lauda were instrumental in creating an environment which got the best from Hamilton. 

Wolff's leadership style, as we have learned earlier in this series, is people-focused. Such a stance gave Lewis the chance to explore what made him tick; therefore, a faster driver. Whether it is fashion weeks, learning to sing or going to Crop Over Carnival, Lewis found out about himself. He found more purpose in his life. While many wondered whether Hamilton was sensible with his lifestyle - clearly different from his peers' life of training in Monaco according to social media. However, as has often been the case, those doubters were quieter when they realised that he was still winning, if not better. 

The best example of that was when Lewis touched down in Singapore for the Grand Prix, in 2018. He had spent the last two weeks flying to Shanghai and New York to unveil his new clothing range in collaboration with Tommy Hilfiger. Although the paddock had already seen him pull off this busy yet winning lifestyle, many thought this was a step too far. Hamilton would then blow the field away with arguably one of his most incredible pole position laps of all time. There were no mistakes. Instead, there was a gap of seven-tenths of a second to his teammate in the same car. Lewis knows who he is, and that makes him stronger.

Having Niki Lauda as a boss and mentor at Mercedes has also led to Lewis' development. Lauda was a racer. He knew what Lewis was dealing with as a driver and the thoughts and feelings that come with that. This meant that he knew how to talk to Hamilton, allowing his mentee to learn from the mistakes that he made. Graham Benzinger did some brilliant interviews with a small number of important figures in Formula One (if you haven't seen them, I recommend them). In his interview with Benzinger, Lauda recalls Hamilton taking offence to being blamed by the Austrian for the crash between Hamilton and Rosberg at the beginning of the Spanish Grand Prix in 2916. Lauda then met Lewis at his home in Ibiza to discuss it in a more relaxed environment. Lauda went over the incident again in his typical matter-of-fact manner. Needless to say, Hamilton hasn't made that sort of mistake again. 

The move from McLaren, who raised him, to Mercedes was in itself proof of Hamilton's' ability to read the big picture well. With the help of Wolf, the creator, and Lauda, the mentor, Hamilton became better aware of himself and his competitors, but also his strengths and weaknesses. Such self-awareness has made him a force to be reckoned with. George Russel had arguably one of the greatest apprenticeships of all time as the test driver for Mercedes in 2018. In reflecting on Hamilton's work, Russell explained that you don't really improve as a driver. You simply become more complete. Obsessed with chasing perfection, Lewis Hamilton is getting ever-closer to the ultimate level.

In 2020, Hamilton reached a new level of what it means to be a champion. Using his platform to fight for a better world off the track while becoming statistically the greatest ever F1 champion on it. Last year embodied a Rafa Nadal quote that resonated with me: 'real champions lift communities as well as trophies'. 

Iconic Moment: Abu Dhabi 2016

In comparing Hamilton to the other greats of Formula One, some commentators have ranked him at the top. Is he really better than Schumacher and Senna? Statistically, he is as good, if not, better. But what sets Hamilton apart from these legends is his proven desire to always win in the right way. While others have been prepared to crash with rivals to beat them, Hamilton has often elected to drive down the road and have faith that what he does within the rules has been enough. In most cases, it has been more than sufficient.

I suppose one moment you might question his sporting nature, was when he tried to back Nico Rosberg into the pack in the last race of 2016. To win the championship, Lewis needed to win the race with Rosberg off the podium. In one of his most impressive drives, Hamilton drove his slowest race possible, holding up his teammate without allowing him past. Ultimately, these tactics didn't work. 

Even if they had, Lewis wasn't doing anything against the rules. This grey area is where Lewis excelled in beating his completion. He can race precisely on the edge without ever going over. This ability has forced rivals, such as Rosberg and Vettel, to go over the limits on occasions due to Hamilton's immense pressure. The draining nature of competing with Hamilton was a significant factor in Nico Rosberg's decision to retire just days later. 

Lewis learned how to race on the edge over many years. Ron Dennis' decision to put Hamilton alongside Alonso in 2007 was probably as important as Lewis' decision to move to Mercedes. It forced the young Briton into the mistakes that have taught him how to win, and nobody has won more than Hamilton.

2020 F1 Season Review

As Sheldon Cooper would say: 2020, thou art a heartless bitch. We can all agree that it's been a year that we'll all remember for the wrong reasons. Despite everything that was going on, we were lucky enough to see a Formula One season of 17 races. As fans, we'll probably remember this season too, but for the right reasons. So at least that's a positive. 

2020 was a season in which we saw the leading cast member break records, call for justice and drive even faster. Elsewhere, we saw comebacks, heartbreak and new challengers. We visited new places and returned to former battlegrounds. We cheered, we cried and even held our breath a few times. And the remarkable thing is that most of us didn't even leave our homes. 

F1 2020 - here's my season review.

Biggest Winner: Sergio Perez

At the time of writing, Sergio has just been announced to drive for Red Bull, alongside Max Verstappen, and that rounds off a hell of a season for the Mexican. After missing two races due to contracting Coronavirus and losing his race seats to an incoming Sebastian Vettel, Perez didn't give up. He fought back with his best ever season in Formula One, finishing fourth in the standings. Along the way, he scored podiums, his maiden win and, best of all, maintained his genuine love for the teammates of 7 years to whom he had to say goodbye. 

Securing a lot of money through the buy-out clause that Racing Point activated and one of the best seats in F1 - Checo has got to be the biggest winner this year.

Biggest Loser: Racing Point 

Racing Point had the third-fastest car this year and finished fourth in the championship. It sounds harsh, but that is millions of pound lost. They were unlucky to lose big hauls of points later in the season, with engine failures and after 'Pink Mercedes-gate', the loss of 15 points turned out to be crucial. Despite these mistakes, there were self-inflicted mistakes and instability that I feel led to them losing third position to McLaren.

Then again, McLaren were operationally better, and in a season as intense as this, that advantage told. McLaren won this battle just as much as Racing Point lost it.  

Moment of the season: Lewis Hamilton's final British GP lap

When leading a Grand Prix, nothing is certain until you've seen the chequered flag. Lewis Hamilton has been in this position a few times, and given his record, it would be bold to bet against him taking victory once out in front. 

Lewis is the king of Silverstone - he's won there seven times and even got a straight named after him. In the first of the two races at Silverstone this year, the Briton had almost a 30-second lead and half a lap to go - plain sailing. But then disaster struck - Hamilton's front-right tyre blew up. With a young, hungry and chasing Verstappen on his tail, and Bono in his ear, counting down the time gap, Hamilton managed to guide his three-wheeled wagon around the rest of the lap. I shouted at the TV a lot that day, and that is the mark of a good race.

Honourable Mention: Chase Carey

The CEO of Formula One leaves after four years at the helm. While his reign was much shorter than his predecessor, Chase still achieved a lot for the good of F1. Little things, like allowing social media in the paddock, helped to modernise the sport. Then you have the larger things: actually putting on an F1 season at all and getting the teams to sign the Concord Agreement, committing to a series in which the rules aim to increase competition. Well done Chase.

AJ on the Line Line of the Season: Vettel radio song 

If you want to read about this, head to my Abu Dhabi report. Sebastian Vettel is seemingly one of the kindest, most genuine people in Formula One, and his passion for the sport and Ferrari is something that should be celebrated. Vettel is right is saying that he failed in his mission at Ferrari - he didn't win the championship. Nevertheless, his passion for Formula One and Ferrari is evident. Seb's heartfelt gesture following his final race demonstrated just why he is a champion - he loves his team and unites them.

Biggest Flop: Turkey Turn 8

F1 returned to Turkey as one of the substitute races, and it was a brilliant race which saw the champion, in Hamilton, crowned. All of the talk going into the weekend was about one corner. Turn 8, at Istanbul Circuit, is mega, with multiple apexes being taken at high speed. Given the downforce of the 2020 F1 cars, it is very much conceivable that this epic corner could have been taken flat out. Max Verstappen even joked that he would take it flat out with his eyes closed. However, this would all be talk that never materialised.

The freshly-laid tarmac provided us with a thrilling weekend during which nobody entirely knew what was going to happen. It created chaos, but it meant that nobody went through Turn 8 with the pedal to the floor - if they did, they'd have ended up in the fence. 

So Turn 8 was a flop, but we got a cracking race in return - I'll take it.

Best Race: Italy 

Italy, Formula One and a high-speed Monza is a perfect combination, and so it proved again. I'll concede that the race was made more exciting as a result of Lewis Hamilton receiving a penalty. However, that doesn't take away from the fact that the top 3 of Stroll, Sainz and Gasly were battling for their first-ever win. 

Pierre Gasly, the eventual winner, was utter perfection after one of the most challenging 12 months of his life, he had driven a midfield car to the top of the podium. The image of Pierre sat on the step of the podium in disbelief remains in my mind, and I'm sure a call from President Macron to congratulate him remains in Pierre's. What a guy. What a race.

Best Qualifier: Charles Leclerc

Not only did Charles out-qualify the four-time champion that is Sebastian Vettel 13-4, but he was starting the race in positions that the car shouldn't have been. The Ferrari was the sixth-quickest car this year; therefore, 1tth or 12th on the grid were realistic positions to be qualifying. Remarkably though, Charles frequently appeared in the top 10 and on four occasions, managed to put in the fourth-fastest lap of the day. 

Sakhir was the most recent example of this. Charles did the lap, told his team that it was a perfect lap and then got out of the car because that was all he could do. Charles is a future champion and proved it with his performances on a Saturday this year. Sorry George, but Charles is my 'Mr Saturday'.

Overtake of the Season: Russell on Bottas

A great overtaker this year was Pierre Gasly, often fighting through the field, and Daniel Ricciardo is always ready to pull a stellar move. However, I'm going to give this one to George Russell for his move on Bottas in the Sakhir Grand Prix. While he did have a tyre advantage of his teammate for the weekend, it was still incredibly ballsy to hang it around the outside to snatch the position. If he'd have got that one wrong, his stock may not be as high as it is right now. However, he got it very much right. After carrying himself in the best way possible during his week at Mercedes, he has shown he is ready to race at the top of F1. This was arguably the most important overtake in George's F1 career so far.

Best Race Driver: Lewis Hamilton

Lewis Hamilton could have won this year's championship and received the deserved plaudits. But that wasn't enough. Lewis has identified his position within Formula One: He has transcended his sport, and has a global following, looking to him to make the right decisions. That's a lot of power, and consequently, pressure. Leading the drive for social change through the Hamilton Commission and Black Lives Matter, the Briton has been a real champion on and off the track. 

Lewis dominated the season. Excluding penalties and Coronavirus, Hamilton would have won all but three races on pure pace. Consequently, there are many highlights, including a stunning drive to take the championship in Turkey. However, the best moment has got to be his win at Silverstone with only three inflated tyres - just imagine the scenes if there was a crowd there.

Naturally, there weren't many lows. Lewis' penalty in Russia was silly, but proof that he is always looking for an advantage. The most prominent trough was probably missing the Sakhir Grand Prix due to Coronavirus. It must have hurt Lewis to see George Russell driving his car - it was perhaps like watching coverage of another man taking your girlfriend on a date. Unpleasant. 

Lewis achieved another victory on a Sunday, being crowned BBC Sports Personality of the Year. If he races at Silverstone next year, he will drive down the Hamilton Straight as Sir Lewis. Fitting.

So that's a wrap as far as this season goes, except for one more thing. Look out for a season review podcast in which I shall be joined by some friends of the show to debate and discuss a few things. I'm looking forward to recording that, and you shall hear it in the coming days. 

Abu Dhabi GP Race Report: It finished with a whimper, but let's look at the big picture.

What do you think of when it comes to Formula One finales? Suzuka? Interlagos? Adelaide? 

The F1 season finale has been hosted for nine out of the last twelve seasons in Abu Dhabi. As far as the facilities and organisation are concerned, Abu Dhabi seems to be pretty perfect. There's a floodlight track in a desert with a hotel above it and a marina next to it - a fine example of what money can buy being rather good. The only issue is that the track is, quite frankly, terrible. Despite this, I've still written a race report for you because there were still many talking points at the end of term.

Biggest Winner: McLaren

A couple of weeks ago, I suggested that the fight for third in the constructors' championship was looking in favour of McLaren. However, after Perez's victory in Sakhir, I feared that I had tempted fate. However, McLaren managed to snatch the lead back after a strong points finish from Norris and Sainz, an engine failure for Perez and an underwhelming performance from Stroll in the lower levels of the points.

Norris was brilliant all weekend, with a brilliant fourth position in qualifying and fifth in the race. When Ricciardo arrives in a few months, Lando will need to consistently perform like that because as friendly as Danny Ric is out of the car, he is a fierce competitor when the visor goes down. McLaren will miss Sainz, who I rate highly. Still, third in the championship is a massive comeback from recent times in which they arguable had the worst car. It feels right for McLaren to be top three in F1. Congratulations to them.

Biggest Loser: The fans

I tried to think of my favourite part of the track in Abu Dhabi. Unfortunately, it's the pit lane exit, which goes underground. DRS can sometimes aid overtaking on the two long straights. However, the action is minimal because there is an off-camber hairpin preceding the main straight. So there isn't a lot of overtaking. But Monaco and Imola are still great tracks, you might say. You'd be correct, but they are great tracks because they are challenging. Lewis Hamilton was still pretty ill as he recovers from Coronavirus, Abu Dhabi was doable. However, he would not have been able to drive the streets of Monaco, that is for sure. 

So an uninteresting and easy track meant that millions around the world tuned in to fall asleep. If I lived in the US, I probably would have gone back to bed. 

But let's not be too negative because this was the 17th and final race of a season of which we wondered would ever take place. I doubt we will ever have such a compact season of F1, with races coming almost as regularly as football matches, which require hardly any logistics, in comparison. F1 will have lost money this season, but they kept a sport alive, and that should be celebrated however boring the final race was.

Highlight of the Race: There wasn't one, but...

I'm going to extend this award to the weekend so that I can give the great accolade to Fernando Alonso. The Spanish champion was thrashing the old Renault from 2005 around the track and hearing the V10 on the TV was stunning. I'd imagine that in person, the sound must've knocked your socks off after seven years of quieter hybrid engines. While we all know why this was a blast from the past and not something that will return soon, it was great to search Alonso giving it his all in a much nimbler car than those driven by the drivers of today. 

As a 39-year-old double world champion, Fernando is somewhat experienced to be driving in the 'Young Driver Test' this week. But he's trying to get all the mileage that he can under his belt so that he hits the ground running next season. Only Fernando would manage to get himself into that test - he's a competitive, wily old fox and I can't wait to see him fighting in Formula One next year.

Honourable Mention: Max Verstappen

Let's not forget who won the race dominantly. Max showed his class with a superb lap in qualifying and then followed it up with a well-controlled drive from lights to flag on Sunday. This year, he has been unlucky not to come second in the drivers' championship through reliability issues and a few incidents. Nevertheless, he has been increasingly mature and consistent as he continues to improve as a man and driver. 

I wonder what the long-term plan is for Max. He's so talented and has more experience than most for his age - as shown by his drive this weekend. But he has committed to Red Bull while his likely challengers of the future, Leclerc and Russell have sewn up seats in the other top teams. Red Bull are a fantastic team with plenty of resources and knowledge of how to win, so why haven't they? Yes, Mercedes continue to go from strength to strength, but they're not invincible, as shown by the past two races. Red Bull seem always to have an Achilles Heel - be it an underperforming driver or a poor engine. Will Max get bored with being the nearly man?

'AJontheLine Line of the Weekend': Vettel's Radio

This weekend was quite emotional in that it was the final farewell for many of the drivers. Vettel, Ricciardo and Sainz were leaving their respective teams and Perez, Magnesun and Kvyat knew it could be their last race in F1. There were many lovely messages on the radio and a lot of love bouncing around a sport that gets a cold-hearted reputation. The best farewell, for me, came from Sebastian Vettel, who was leaving Ferrari, having been given the sack before the season has begun.

Seb hid the lyrics to the famous 1960s Italian song 'Azzurro' in his car. After finishing the race, he sang on the radio for his team before thanking them in tears. Sebastian loves Ferrari with immense passion and in good times and bad his radio messages have shown that. I still get goosebumps listening to his joy upon winning his first race for the Scuderia back in 2015. 

The German champion would then swap helmets with Charles Leclerc (who donned a helmet thanking Seb), and wrote a lovely message to Charles which I shall let you go and read. The final shot of Seb in red on the TV saw him handing out beers to all of his team. The guy is a gentleman and a role model for anyone. I hope that Seb does well at Aston Martin next year - he deserves it.

Typically, I have found a fair amount to talk about for a race of few highlights. Thank you for reading my reports this season. I hope you've found them at least a bit insightful.

As Seb would say, Grazie regazzi!

Sakhir GP Race Report: The Perfect Race

Man. I really did jinx things for McLaren. Anyway…

The second Grand Prix in Bahrain, with its high-speed outer loop, was always going to be crazy. But nothing was going to prepare us for what was to come. This was the race that had it all: jubilation, awe, heart-break, luck and a universally loved, first-time winner. 

Bigger Winner: Formula One 

Last week, we were reminded of the risks of this sport; this week, the rewards of F1 were clear to see. 

Despite having feet too large for the car, it was a massive challenge for George Russell to fill in for Lewis Hamilton. He didn't do badly, topping the timesheets on Friday and qualifying a magnificent second, a matter of hundredths behind Valtteri Bottas. If Friday and Saturday weren't bad, the race start, on Sunday, was exceptional. From the dirty side of the grid, George pulled away into the lead of the race. From there on, the young Briton looked in control and was.

Another fast starter was a Mexican, who I might have mentioned once or twice before. Sergio Perez flew to third position, ahead of Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc. Alas, Checo's high-flying start was short-lived - an ambitious Leclerc hit the Mexican from behind and took them and Verstappen out of the race. Well, that's what we thought. But remarkably, Perez's car was undamaged and could continue. Unfortunately, though, he was last.

Further ahead, the battle for the lead was controlled supremely by Russell. Maintaining a reasonable gap, looking after his tyres and appearing calm on the radio: it was as though Hamilton was still in the car. Last week, I said that if George can keep within a couple of tenths of Bottas and follow him home for second place, he'd be doing well. The maturity, pace and management shown in this race confirmed Russell not just the real deal, but a future superstar. 

George should have won. However, it wasn't meant to be - Mercedes made a rare mistake, giving George the wrong tyres, causing him to point again, losing track position. The Briton's fate was s then sealed by a puncture that forced him to pit again. While he was understandably gutted, George had done enough. More on that shortly.

Meanwhile, Sergio Perez was doing what he does best - driving incredibly quickly while protecting his tyres. Only Lewis Hamilton can match Perez's skill in that regard. The Mexican pulled off the some fantastic overtakes, including on Alex Albon, who's Red Bull seat omen would think might have Perez's name on next year. The Mercedes blunder then allowed Perez to remarkable;y take the lead. From there, Sergio checked out and didn't look back. After ten years in F1 and seven years helping his team up the field, Sergio finally achieved a Grand Prix victory. Even George was happy for him - and that says a lot about both men.

This was such a feel-good weekend, after the horrors of last week, and made sweeter by Estaban Ocon achieving his first F1 podium, finishing second. He needed that confidence boost, especially with an incoming Fernando Alonso as his teammate.

Biggest Loser: Toto Wolf's head

Here are Mercedes' driver options:

• Statistically the greatest driver of all time - hungrier than ever due to missing his first race since his debut, 2007. (Has no contract signed for next year)

• A consistent team-player, who's pace is brilliant, but nothing stellar. (Has a contract with Mercedes signed for next year)

• A young yet mature junior, who has shown that he is world championship contender material, but is yet to prove himself over the season. (Has a contract with Williams signed for next year)

I don't feel for Toto Wolff - he's got a lovely job and a pleasant problem in deciding between the above options. As long as he is still motivated and at the top level that he has been showing, Lewis Hamilton must fill one of the seats - he'll cost more, but his value is priceless.

Then, you've got the other seat to fill. According to the signed contract, it is filled by Valtteri. Therefore, I would be surprised if the Fin isn't in the car next season. I've always been of the mind that as long as Lewis Hamilton is at the team, they should keep Valtteri for stability. However, having seen George Russell's performance at the weekend, I now realise that I have been short-sighted. 

George is as ready to drive in a top team as Verstappen's and Leclerc, if not more, due to his experience in a less competitive car. George won't be as complete as Lewis - but neither was Lewis at George's age, and Hamilton wasn't exactly a flop at McLaren. The point is that George is Mercedes' future - unless something strange happens, he will join Mercedes at some point with the intention and ability to win championships. 

While Bottas is good on his day, his days are few and far between. As long as Lewis Hamilton is his teammate, it is unlikely that the Fin will win over the season. Based on Sakhir, things would be similar for Valtteri with George Russell as his teammate. Bottas works as a number two driver, but he has made Mercedes comfortable. For a team that likes to innovate, the Silver Arrows know that comfort is not always a good thing. It is clear that, while it has the potential for discomfort, the best line-up would be to have Hamilton and Russell. However, Mercedes have PTS from the Hamilton-Rosberg days.

I think Russell should be alongside Hamilton in 2021. But what I predict to happen is Bottas' contract to be honoured before making the transition to Hamilton-Russell for 2022. You'll lose a great man in Bottas, but you'll have arguably the best line-up in Formula One. 

You can then worry about Hamilton's replacement later - I would guess Leclerc or Sainz, fed up of a faltering Ferrari dream.

Moment of the Race: Russell's move on Bottas

I won't labour the point. George Russell was unquestionably the driver of the day on Sunday. Valtteri Bottas had no answer, not even to an audacious move around the outside. If the Mercs had come together, George wouldn't have looked so favourable - but they didn't, so the boy is a hero. Go and have a look at it on Youtube, remembering that George still didn't fully know how the car worked - he even had to ask how to turn off the engine.

Honourable Mention: Romain Grosjean 

Following his horror crash, Romain Grosjean spent time thanking the people that saved his life and saying goodbye to the sport of which he has been a part for the past decade. He will not race in Abu Dhabi, instead returning to Switzerland to recover and see his children. The right choice, but a sad way to end. 

Romain had plenty of pace and is clearly a lovely human. I won't remember him for his incidents, that did come along too often. I'll remember Romain for the podium that he achieved at Spa for Lotus, a team on the brink of financial collapse. He celebrated like he'd won the race, and to the team, it was a win. Romain cried on the last lap of that race, and that shows the passion that he has for racing cars.

AJontheLine' Line of the weekend': Checo Radio

When Sergio Perez did finally win, through tears, he told his wife to make sure that his son was watching. After all that Checo has been through this year, it was heart-warming to know that he just wanted to show his son that victories are still possible in the hardest of times. 

And on that note, I hope that the exciting, emotional and competitive end to a challenging year for us all can continue. Abu Dhabi will be the final race of the season. Usually, the race isn't interesting. However, we don't yet know whether it'll be Hamilton, Bottas or Russell as the favourite for the win. I'd be surprised if its Lewis, but he has made a living out of winning, even if he shouldn't.

10/10 Series: Faith and Courage - Ayrton Senna

“It is not the size of the man; it’s the size of his heart that matters”. These were the words of boxing champion, Evander Holyfield, and s similar sentiment has been held by some of the greatest in the history of sport. Lewis Hamilton has it written on his helmet - “Still We Rise”. Hamilton’s mentor, Niki Lauda, explained that “from losing, he always learned more”. In essence, champions never give up.

When I talk about faith, it doesn’t merely involve self-confidence. Every top-level athlete has faith in their ability. However, that is not enough. Sport can be massively unpredictable - that’s why we love it. Even the most confident of athletes can struggle to bounce back when the chips are down. Many have fallen at this hurdle - they didn’t have the equipment, it was the wrong time, luck didn’t go their way. Excuses are common and often understandable. Champions avoid justifying failure - that wastes energy. In overcoming inevitable doubts, the probability of seeing opportunities for success increases. This is the power of faith.

Those who believe that their chance to shine will come will feel less pressure. In essence, you cannot stop somebody who knows where they are going. How so? They have more courage when making decisions. Fortune doesn’t favour the flustered; it favours the brave. 

In almost every sport, there will be a team involved. Whether it is boxing, football or Formula One, it most cases there will be multiple people that contribute to a victory. Of course, a goalkeeper has a massive amount of trust in him. If he has an off day, the impact on the match may be more so than an out of form striker. If you are the athlete who needs to go into the arena alone, putting trust in those around you can be the difference between success and failure. 

In some cases, there is more on the line. In Formula One, for example, the driver steps into the cockpit, knowing that if something goes wrong as two hundred miles per hour, it is their life that could be lost. This takes faith in your team to a new level. 

One champion who found extraordinary heights of belief was Ayrton Senna. The Brazilian triple world champion is present whenever there is a discussion of the greatest ever. Sure, some drivers won more titles than he did, including his great rival, Alain Prost. However, due to his premature death in 1994, we don’t know what he might have achieved. If what he produced during his career is anything to go by, he had the potential to set more watermarks for those who followed to chase.

As a person, Senna’s influence on the world and his country was evident. He was more than a racing driver; he was a national hero. Following his death, the nation went into three days of mourning and lined the streets in a state funeral. During and after his life, Senna didn’t just inspire his country; he poured millions of dollars into helping poor children in Brazil. Many feel that Senna might have one day become president of Brazil. 

Without a doubt, Ayrton made these actions because he was so loving. But that loving came from a different type of faith - he was incredibly religious. Said to read the bible often while flying between Brazil and Europe, Senna had a complexed personality. Most F1 drivers seem to change when they put the helmet on, but none more than the Brazilian. While he was aware and sometimes scared of the dangers his profession presented, there were moments when many questioned his actions. This is particularly so given that in his era, safety was less of a priority. Senna lived on the edge, maximising what was possible. He reaped the rewards and ultimately paid the ultimate price that comes with such an approach.

Faith in God gave Ayrton Senna an inner confidence that allowed him to, at times, transcend the fears and doubts that are part of being human. He changed the sport in many ways forever. Like Muhammed Ali, Senna was a sporting poet. Words spoken by the Brazilian are recalled to this day. “If you don’t go for a gap, you are no longer a racing driver” and “second or third is not enough” are two of the many quotes that define the mindset of a racing driver. Even today, every driver worth his salt thinks that they are the greatest. However, Senna’s belief in success coming his way was on another level. He was the ultimate racing driver because to him, it was a fact, and not opinion, that Ayrton Senna was destined for greatness in Formula One.

Senna’s unequivocal thinking that Grand Prix involving him existed for him to win resulted in collisions with other drivers. The champion would give his competitors a choice between having an accident or pulling out, giving him the knowledge that he had your number. Intimidating. His fearless nature would even lead to high-speed incidents that many felt were intentional. In Japan, Senna both won and lost titles as a result of coming together with his great rival, Alain Prost.

While being prepared to crash with his rivals, Senna’s mind would seemingly switch to a realisation of the fragility of human life. Once, during qualifying for the 1992 Belgian Grand Prix, Erik Comas crashed heavily at about 200mph. The French driver was knocked out, but his foot was still pressing down on the accelerator, pumping fuel into the engine and risking an explosion. Senna parked his car and ran across a live track, to turn off the engine and support Comas’ head until medics came, risking his own life. These actions saved his competitor’s life. Moments like these show the bravery and heart that Senna had. He didn’t need to carry out these actions to win, but he did them, as a champion, for his sport.

Summarising who Ayrton Senna was is incredibly challenging because he was such a colossal figure. He became larger than Formula One. However, Formula One made him - in many ways, he and Lewis Hamilton are similar in that respect. Senna knew where he was going and felt that he had a God-given right, so nobody was going to stop him. This mindset helped him overcome moments of immense pressure and fear. This inner faith, some would argue, was his downfall. Even so, Ayrton Senna was one of, if not, F1’s greatest champion. He had an air of omnipotence about him, and that came from his faith and courage.

Iconic Moment: Monaco 1988

The streets of Monte Carlo host the Monaco Grand Prix. Monaco breathes in risk and exhales reward. If you are willing to put it all on the line, you go home with a big smile and your hands full - that’s just the casino. The circuit? Another planet. 

In looking back at those who have summited the mountain of the Monaco Grand Prix, the test that the streets of Monte Carlo throws at the drivers is evident. Of course, world champions are some of the most excellent drivers to sit behind the wheel. However, over a season, the car can influence the results. For this reason, some of F1’s greats are not champions. Despite lacking in titles, said greats have won around the streets of Monaco. Stirling Moss, David Coulthard and Daniel Ricciardo are a handful of those who might have been champion but managed a victory on the Cote d’Azur. Only the truly great drivers can tame the beauty that is Monaco.

The narrow nature of the Monegasque track makes overtaking difficult. Therefore, races can often be won on a Saturday as a result. As they search for excellence, drivers and their cars continuously flirt with the barriers. If you are distant from the limits, you leave time on the table, losing the chance to win Monaco over. Monaco appreciates a driver who can get as close as possible. If you can caress the barrier, you are lucky, but anything more risks a slap in the face and the end of the race. To secure Monaco, you need to be confident, calm and oh so courageous. 

Ayrton Senna’s relationship with Monaco was far from a one night stand. It was a love affair. With five pole positions, six victories and eight podiums in ten races, Senna’s record makes him the king of Monaco. Nobody has taken first place as many times as Senna here. 

In 1988, Ayrton Senna drove one of the greatest laps driven in Formula One. In qualifying for the race, he annihilated the opposition, going one and a half seconds faster than his teammate, who qualified in second place. For context, the difference between teammates might usually extend to around two-tenths of a second, and Alain Prost is no slouch. The difference between Senna and the rest of the field was staggering. No wonder this lap goes down as the ‘lap of Gods’. 

Ayrton described the lap as though he was in another dimension, in a trace, going faster and faster as the laps went on. I suppose this is what athletes call ‘the zone’. After he jumped out of the car, he seemed as though he had woken up from the world within which he had just lost himself. Some say he had even scared himself. 

Whether or not Senna was afraid, this moment shows a lot about finding a new level within yourself - something that you constantly need to do as a top athlete. To get better, you need to have the bravery to go beyond what you perceive as your limits. As Senna proves, your limits are far beyond where your nerves would have you believe it. That is not to say that your body is incorrect in telling you that it isn’t comfortable. These are survival instincts. However, Senna was more willing than his [peers to put everything on the line, often feeling alone and going where nobody else dared. That is what made Ayrton Senna the champion that he was.

Bahrain GP Report: Advantage McLaren

This weekend‘s Grand Prix, in Bahrain, had almost as much global reaction as the previous race in which a superstar was crowned a record-equalling seventh championship. Shockingly, it was a reminder for the wold that motorsport is dangerous. When the 20 drivers put their helmets on for the start of the race, they must do so accepting that there is always the possibility that it is the last time that they do so. 

Happily, Romain Grosjean was able to walk away from his horrible accident, on which there was plenty of coverage, with minor burns. While we were relieved at the strides made by motorsport over the years, to save the Frenchman, it was an awakening for Formula One and the onlooking world that this isn’t Hollywood.

The positive news is that Romain has been discharged from hospital, so I shall talk about the race itself.

Biggest winner: McLaren 

Now that Mercedes have won the championships, there’s nothing to race for now? Wrong. Racing Point, Renault and McLaren find themselves in a monumental battle for third sport and a significant amount of prize money. With big rule changes, in 2022, looming, funds are, well, fundamental. 

On Saturday, McLaren was a bit scruffy. Carlos Sainz has a mechanical failure that locked the rear axels and left him well down the order. Meanwhile, Lando Norris was fortunate to escape Q1 elimination and got an underwhelming ninth position. In comparison, Racing Point had the ever-consistent Sergio Perez starting in fifth, and both Renaults started ahead of Lando. 

Come race day, things were different. Despite breaking his wing in the first race start, Lando would have e a solid and mature drive. Fifth place was very much deserved. He would then be treated to fourth spot with a late engine failure for Perez, whose teammate, stroll, also didn’t finish. Then there was my driver of the day, Carlos Sainz, who showed why Ferrari signed him by driving from fifteenth to fifth. Carlos is champion material, I’ve said it before, and it looks like I’ve said it again. 

Advantage McLaren, heading into the final two races with a 17-point lead over Racing Point. McLaren are coming back and isn’t that just wonderful. 

Biggest loser: Sergio Perez

Given that I just told you, Perez’s fate won’t come as a surprise to you. An engine failure in that laps would be cruel for anyone, not least, a guy who had driven all weekend superbly to what could have been the last podium of his career. But this is the harsh nature of racing cars around a track for a living: you might break down occasionally.

Moment of the race: Danny Daring

As we know, Sainz was on the move in this Grand Prix. Bahrain is a such an excellent track for overtaking, and the young Spaniard showed it against his future Ferrari teammate, coming on top of a great battle. My favourite moment came just after this. 

Daniel Ricciardo had a start that didn’t live up to his usual standards. However, the Aussie showed that he still had his opportunistic, jump behind the sofa sort of moves in him. A beautiful dive up the inside of an already defending Charles Leclerc had me off my seat. It reminded me of the move he made on Bottas when he won China a couple of years ago. I can’t wait for him to get in a McLaren and go hunting for wins.

AJontheLine Line of the Weekend: “Lewis you’re on pole”.

The world champion, Lewis Hamilton, took pole position and the win. No shock there. But after being told on the radio, “Lewis, you’re on pole”. Martin Brundle made the good observation that the message could have been pre-recorded from one of his previous 97 pole positions.

Unfortunately, Lewis won’t be making it a century of pole positions this year because he has tested positive for Coronavirus. Firstly, I wish him the best, not that he reads this blog. Secondly, though, this is an interesting test for Formula One. How can they function without the main character? Who can use this as an opportunity to win? 

It’s not out of the realms of possibility that George Russel could win. No, I’m not mad. I’ve just seen the news that Russell has been called up to replace Lewis at Mercedes for the following race. As a fast, mature and hard-working young Brit, I can think of nobody better to take on the role. What an opportunity it is for George to drive the fastest F1 car ever in the team that Lewis has helped build. If this goes well, it might cause Valtteri Bottas to worry about his 2022 seat. 

If George gets a podium, he’ll have done a fantastic job. I look forward to cheering him on.

Honourable Mention: There’s a few

Ian Roberts and Alan van der Merwe: The F1 medic and medical car driver that helped Romain from the flames.

Jules Bianchi: A talent whom we lost too soon, in 2014. His crash was one which encouraged the halo to be brought to Formula One cars, saving Romain’s life.

Charlie Whiting, Professor Sid Watkins and Sir Jackie Stuart: All instrumental in moving F1 safety forward. 

Everyone who volunteers at motorsport events: Without these people, there could be no race.

I am sure I have missed many. But to whom it may concern, thank you. 

10/10 Series: Work Ethic - Michael Schumacher

There are certainly similarities in the making of an athlete with attention to detail and a strong work ethic. Both are required, hand in hand, to be the best in your field. So why have I included both traits in this list of ten?

Work ethic can be the difference between those that are champions and those that continue to build on this success, collecting championships as though they were the minimum requirement. That is not to say that one-time champions, like Rosberg, don't work hard. You read only a week ago the pain he went through to beat Lewis Hamilton. However, champions, like Hamilton, Federer or Ronaldo, who continue to return with more performance, having succeeded the week before, are on another level to their competitors. They find themselves on another level because their work ethic raises their game, high above the very good. These champions are metronomic to the point that they are seemingly inhuman.

We know that to be a champion, you need commitment. That drive comes from your passion and competitive spirit. If you are good enough and the circumstances are right, these things may be enough to get to the top. The challenge is that once in a generation, someone will come along and change the game. We spoke last week of the way that Tiger Woods changed the standard for golfers when he adopted a fitness-focused and scientific approach. These are the types of people that highlight the uncovered ground which offers room for excellence that the current crop has never considered. 

Another star rising at the time of Woods' ascent was Michael Schumacher. Like Woods' he was more physically prepared to compete than anyone before him. This was an era in which technology allowed sport to use science to pursue excellence. When Schumacher arrived, the established drivers included Senna, Prost and Mansell. Just three of the most highly regarded drivers of all time. And yet, Schumacher soon took them on and soon gave them issues. Why? He was so much fitter than his rivals. 

Nigel Mansell had upper body strength - vital before the days of power steering. Despite this, Nigel would often tire during the final stages of a race. It was said by some of his team, that Senna was unfit. That is not to say he was overweight or weak; he simply didn't have the endurance. Senna was arguably the most excellent drivers to grace the Earth. I also believe that the Brazilian legend could have won more championships had he not been taken away from the world prematurely. However, Schumacher's physical edge would have made things difficult had they gone head to head.  Michael Schumacher changed the game when it came to fitness.

Michael understood that fitness was proportional to performance. Thus, between races weekends, and even during, Michael would be training. Unlike Mansell, it wasn't merely strength training. He would work scientifically on his cardiovascular fitness, ensuring that he had the longevity to maintain a high driving standard throughout the race. Cardio work doesn't' take simply benefit an athlete in being able to perform an activity longer; it also decreases the chance of mistakes. This is why pre-Schumacher, errors in the closing stages of the race were much more likely. In contrast, drivers of today have the capacity to go for the fastest lap of the race in the final lap. 

Schumacher's relentless pursuit of success didn't stop after being fit. Formula One is a team sport - a fact that some disregard. Those who recall working with Schumacher describe a man who genuinely cared about those in his team. He wouldn't just know the names of the people in the factory, but the names of their partners. Such a personable nature will galvanise a team. 

In addition to rallying the troops, encouraging them to develop the best car for the racetrack, gelling with the team like Schumacher gives a driver an extra edge. In Formula One, your biggest rival is your teammate. They are the only one in the same machinery as you and potentially, could be the only one standing between you and victory. When a team develops their car, as well as the data, they listen to the two drivers in order to understand the direction that they take. Naturally, the drivers will want the car to suit their driving style. If you can have the team on side and are a constant presence in the factory, the car is more likely to develop in your direction. This is hugely significant for a driver's chance of victory. So while others may have gone cycling in Monaco, Schumacher was at the factory or the test track.

As humans, we are quick to put individuals in boxes. Those at the top of the tree set the standard for how others in the industry 'should' behave. It takes someone to succeed with new approaches before others follow. The reality is that if the maverick does eventually succeed, they can maintain an advantage due to their extra experience. Michael Schumacher ensured that he utilised every advantage possible over his competition. In doing so, he created the mould for Formula One drivers, on and off the track. 

Interestingly, this model has led to much criticism of Lewis Hamilton's lifestyle, which doesn't just include greatness in Formula One but other industries. Eventually, Hamilton's success has reached a point where he cannot be questioned in taking a new approach to Formula One. Such criticism raises an important point - people are different and so will perform better in different conditions. Throughout this series, we have learned the importance of various qualities in sport. However, hard work and dedication are essential for success in any walk of life. All professional athletes have a good work ethic to be in their position, Schumacher, though, showed a new level in consistently finding more throughout his career. That is what makes him one of sport's greatest ever champions.

Iconic moment: Belgian GP 1992

Schumacher would use his youth and fitness to intimidate the competition. While his peers would climb out of the car exhausted, Michael would seemingly emerge with hardly a bead of sweat on his brow. This was more evident than ever following his first win at the Belgian Grand Prix of 1992. Having taken victory by more than half a minute, he celebrated on the podium, accompanied by Nigel Mansell and Riccardo Patrese. They were both fifteen years older than Schumacher and looked exhausted. Michael appeared as though he was ready to continue.

As a young driver, the message to the rest of the field is ominous - I'm winning, and I'm only going to get better. Max Verstappen sends out a similar message nowadays, taking every opportunity to remind likes of Hamilton and Vettel of his age. 

Schumacher, the first driver to take science and fitness seriously in his sport, had a mental edge over the competition. It just goes to show that his hard work, be it in the gym or the factory, does pay off. His seven world championships prove just that.

Turkish GP Race Report: S7ILL HE RISES

Lewis Hamilton sets the agenda in the world of Formula One. When he talks, they listen. When he does, they question. When he races, they follow. 

This year, the Brit has been a champion on and off the track, raising the bar, his flag and awareness. If there was ever going to be a race for Hamilton to become the certified G.O.A.T. (as I put it on Sky Sports F1), the Turkish Grand Prix 2020 seemed fitting. 

Moment of the Race: The Start

The challenging world in which we live has led to Formula One parachuting into various venues with hardly any notice. In general, it has gone swimmingly with some exciting races at world-class tracks. Turkey’s circuit, in downtown Istanbul, has produced fine moments in the past, and the F1 community were looking forward to watching the drivers take it on.

Unfortunately, the drivers never had the chance to push to the circuit’s limits. Having had asphalt laid just 10 days before F1 arrived, the oils were still coming to the surface of the track as it set, creating an ice-like feel - only to be extenuated by rain falling on both Saturday and Sunday. Mayhem. That is what followed.

On Saturday, the abnormal conditions left the door wide open for Racing Point and Lance Stroll to steal the show and pole position.

When Sunday came, we were all pretty confident that this was a race for which it was worth getting up reasonably early. The lights went out, at the beginning of the race, and away they went...slowly. It felt as though we were watching in slow motion. We had a brave Hamilton diving up the inside of the Renaults ahead. An even bolder start came from Sebastian Vettel, who climbed from 12th to 3rd in a matter of corners. Incredible.

The start of the race was an introduction to a race of which none of us could guess the winner. That is what we love to see.

Biggest Loser: Max Verstappen

Max led the field in all practice sessions and looked favourite to take pole position as Mercedes struggled, and he dominated. As the track dried, however, Red Bull called him in to the pit lane for Intermediate tyres - which were allowing Racing Point to put in some competitive times. In coming into the pits, Max aborted a lap that would have probably put him on pole position, but he didn't have time to finish it and put on a fresh set of tyres. When Max did get to set a lap on the new tyres, he couldn't get the tyres into the optimum window that he coils with his previous full-wet tyres. He'd have to settle for second. The young star didn't take that too well, and we saw him sitting on the floor devastated. 

But surely he was going to walk the race tomorrow.

A poor start meant that the Dutchman fell back a few positions. He was quicker, but also visibly flustered. Today was a day for the unflappable, and so it showed. As he followed Sergio Perez into a high-speed right kink, Max ran wide, spinning, which lost him positions to Seb Vettel and Hamilton. 

Max wasn't the only one to make a mistake in this challenging race. Howevr, he had lost control of his emotions, which has an impact on your car control. 

Max with be a world champion one day, there is no doubt of that. But the current world champion would have probably overruled his team's decision and put it on pole. He also would have bided his time and waited for the right moment to pass Perez. Max is making similar mistakes to Lewis at the same age, but this race rewarded a calm, experienced head - something that Max is in the process of forming, but doesn’t yet possess.

Biggest Winner: Lewis Hamilton

It’s not about where you start; it’s where you finish that matters. This is something that we could apply to all of our lives. This year has been so tough for all of us, but hopefully, a long-term positive outcome will be an increased unity as humans. 

With Boris Johnson and the Royal Family tweeting about him, Lewis Hamilton knows that he is in a position where he has the microphone in his hands and the spotlight above him. With this position, he hasn’t shied away, in fear of losing sponsorships. Lewis has used his platform to highlight our need to address things that he he feels passionately about in this world. That awareness of the big picture is what sets him apart in the conversation for greatest sporting champions. 

Black Lives do Matter. Lewis doesn’t let the F1 world forget, and nor should we.

A troubling Saturday for the team saw Hamilton qualify sixth and Bottas ninth, with the Mercedes unable to heat its tyres enough.

Until halfway through the race, Hamilton was doing enough for the championship. But for champions like him, enough isn’t.

He had a great battle with his friend and long-time rival, Sebastian Vettel, but fell 30 seconds behind the leader at one stage. Lewis eventually moved into second place. He and Sergio Peres, ahead of him, showed their experience and lived up to their reputation as tyre-whispers.  Lewis would take the lead from Perez and win by a staggering 30 seconds. How did he turn that around?

Lewis showed great maturity as he kept it on the black stuff and kept his head while others lost theirs. Hamilton knows that the opportunity will come to him, and when it does, he grabbed it with both hands and ran for the touchline. He’d done it. He had achieved the impossible. He’d become a seven-time world champion and the most successful F1 driver of all time. 

The Brit did it in style too. The boy who didn’t live like or look like an F1 driver had done what nobody has ever done. As I said, it isn’t about where you start in life; it’s where you finish.

Oh and for those that say ‘it’s just the car’ - Hamilton’s teammate, in the same car span 6 times, was lapped and finished 14th. So do work that one out.

Honourable Mention: The Podium Finishers

We know that we had Hamilton on the top step - something he does more than a third of the times he finishes a Grand Prix. Toto Wolff, Mercedes team boss, also joined him up there, which he doesn’t often do in favour of sending other members up to enjoy the moment. IU guess Toto knew the magnitude of this race and it was only right that he was a part of it.

The other two men picking up trophies and spraying champagne were experienced drivers that had each had relatively challenging years. 

Sergio Perez took second with a superb drive that makes you wonder, again, how he doesn’t have a job next year. Sebastian Vettel snatched third on the last lap, after a brilliant race, confirming why Aston Martin has signed him despite his dire season. It was a bit awkward given that Vettel is replacing Perez next year, but they were both happy to have shown what they can do and to be a part of this historic moment.

An iconic shot saw Seb lean into Hamilton’s cockpit to tell the newly-crowned champion, who was composing himself, that he was “creating history”. There is a deep respect between those two champions that have won 11 of the previous 13 titles. So that was good to see.

Sergio not having a seat in 2021 is like Jurgen Klopp getting the sack after winning the Premier League. It is ludicrous. The Mexican is fourth in the championship, despite missing two races with Coronavirus. As he admitted, in F1, it is more than just talent and financial backing required to drive, and that is a great shame. 

AJontheLine ‘Line of the Weekend’: Hamilton’s Team Radio Message

After taking the chequered flag, through tears, Lewis said: “That’s for all the kids out there who dream the impossible. You can do it too!”.

Lewis is not just a champion, but a statesman for our sport. He could have made this year about him, but instead, he has made it about a better future for all. Rafael Nadal says that true champions don’t just lift trophies, but communities. Worryingly for his competitors, Hamilton says that he’s just getting started.

10/10 Series: Attention to Detail - Nico Rosberg

Sport is simple yet complicated. Success is dependent upon a stopwatch or the location of the ball relative to a line. However, the actions leading to these moments are what add up to make a champion. Such actions can seem complicated and microscopic. However, paying attention to these details can lead to great rewards. Champions leave no stone unturned. Here is why.

In this ever-evolving world, data, and the accurate analysis of such, are becoming increasingly significant. The reason? Technology means that we are more aware of the finer details. Therefore, the opportunity to make small changes create significant differences is continually increasing in frequency. In essence, the incremental gains were already there; we just hadn't yet discovered them. For a competitor, this is an exciting prospect because it, quite rightly, suggests that there is still extra performance on the table for the very best to seek and exploit. It is natural then, that science is becoming ever-present in a sporting context. From psychology to technology, each detail might define the recipient of the trophy.

Champions are perfectionists. Connor McGregor explains that there is no such thing as talent, only obsession. While I disagree that talent doesn't exist, he demonstrates the focus that champions have on the finer intricacies. In understanding every detail, the number of challenges one can take on will be higher, yielding a greater success rate. Matthew Syed's 'Black Box Thinking' suggests that when there is an unexpected challenge, a problem that frequently arises is to lose perception of other potential issues. Having attention to detail allows competitors to remain composed in unknown circumstances because they are more likely to have considered different circumstances taking place. A great example of this being vital is strategy. However, reacting to unusual situations can occur at any time in sport, not least in the ever-changing world in which we live.

In Formula One, attention to detail finds a new level. On average, a Formula One car has 80,000 components. Thus, were 0.1% of components to go wrong, that means 80 parts of the car will be going wrong. Anything less than 100% is not an option if you want to succeed. 

The most complex component is the driver, who, unlike the rest of the car, has feelings, ambitions and ego. Finding the balance of confidence and humility is a great challenge for the drivers. Every driver thinks that they are the best. However, the culture of F1 is such that arrogance is rebuked in favour of constant innovation and self-improvement. 

Since 2014, only one man has managed to beat the (current) second greatest F1 driver of all time in Lewis Hamilton. There were multiple reasons that Nico Rosberg won the 2016 championship, as there are with any championship win. In Nico's case, we are in a fortunate position where he retired, having reached the summit. Consequently, Nico is more open in explaining how he managed to win. After all, unless he does an Alonso, and returns to racing (incredibly unlikely), there is nobody from which he needs to hide his secrets. 

Nico did what many top-level athletes are doing nowadays, working with a sports phsycoiologist. Natural, after he had received a hammer-blow in confidence, being comprehensively beaten by Hamilton during 2015. Using 'black box thinking', Rosberg learned from his past mistakes, focusing on his mindset. Quite noticeably, he changed how he addressed Lewis. Previously, "my teammate" was as far as Nico would go when addressing Hamilton. In 2016, he seemed insistent on focusing on beating "Lewis Hamilton" on the weekend in question. The point is, he knew that he could beat Hamilton over a race, he just needed to keep doing that to become world champion. In having the bravery to accept that he needs greater mental strength, he was able to gain more power as a competitor and maintain consistency. 

As an international athlete, maintaining consistency is difficult while travelling the world. The nature of the job serves jet lag in not-so-generous helpings. However, since retiring Nico has spoken about how he worked with sleep experts to ensure that he didn't get jet-lagged. In doing so, the sacrifices were substantial. In preparation for changing time zones, Nico shifted his sleeping period by ninty minutes per day. This meant that at some stages, he was going to bed at 6pm and getting up for a morning run at 2am, allowing him to land in the Far East already accustomed to the time zone. It even meant sleeping in a separate bed to his wife and missing critical moments in his baby growing up. Nevertheless, this attention to detail gave him the confidence to touch down, win races and ultimately steel the championship from Lewis.

Iconic Moment: Summer ‘16

The best example of champion-worthy thinking from Nico Rosberg came during the summer of 2016. Having dominated the opening rounds of the season, Rosberg was closed in and overtaken in the championship standings by a resurgent Hamilton. The summer came at a good time for Rosberg because it meant a short break, in which Hamilton's momentum would diminish when the season resumed at the end of August.

In Rosberg's 2016 Mercedes car, an extra kilogram of mass increased the time over one lap by 0.3 sec. Minimising weight, then, is fundamental for a driver's pursuit of victory. In the mid-season, a weight-loss diet is out of the question, avoiding any risks of energy faltering. Therefore, Nico had to innovate. He decided to lose weight by stopping cycling, decreasing the muscle mass on his legs by 1 kilogram. 

Nico refers to the Japanese Grand Prix, which took place later in the season, as a critical point that destabilised Lewis in the championship. The German qualified on pole position, beating his rival by just one tenth of a second. Lewis would then go on to have a scruffy race, widening the points gap, giving Rosberg the upper hand in the championship run-in. In hindsight, it is clear. However, the foresight from Rosberg - stopping cycling, to gain a weight advantage - was the decision-making of a champion. And so it proved. Nico would take the title in the final race, pressured to the end by Hamilton. 

The conditions under which Rosberg won the race were as close to torture as one can get while being paid handsomely to drive a fast car. Hamilton was the victor on the day, and despite the Briton backing his teammate into the chasing pack, Rosberg held his nerve and won over throughout the year.

Just days following the title decider, the Formula One world collectively turned to one another and asked: "have you seen this?" 

Nico Rosberg decided to retire upon winning the championship. He had proven everything that he wanted to. With all of the sacrifices made in his search of detail, Nico had come to realise that the lifestyle that made him champion was unsustainable for him and his family. Nico, and those around him, maintain that he has no regret for his decision. From the outside, it seems that way too.

While you have to have respect for Rosberg's decision, it says a lot about those that do come back for more having reached the summit. Nico Rosberg is far from average, yet he couldn't handle the life of a champion for multiple years. If anything, this enlarges the appreciation for those who do come back to win more. The constant hunt for an edge never stops for a champion. Like I said, sport is simple yet complicated.

10/10 Series: Humility - Frank Williams

In 1977, Formula One’s third most successful team came to be. Formed by team boss, Frank Williams, and engineer, Patrick Head, Williams Grand Prix Engineering was born. 18 championship and 114 race wins later, a legacy that involves greats such as Prost, Senna, and Mansell will continue forever. Frank Williams and his team are simply a cornerstone of Formula One. Be that as it may, 1977 wasn’t where Williams’ involvement in Formula One began.  

Years earlier in 1969, Frank bought a chassis and raced it with his driver, Piers Courage. Courage had driven for ‘Frank Williams Racing Cars’ in Formula Two and Three previously. Success was almost immediate with a second-place finish in just the second outing. This was one of two podiums in Frank’s first F1 season, an achievement practically impossible today. Naturally, this created ripples throughout the sport as the establishment ridiculed the new kid on the block. This scrutiny was just one of the many tests that were to come.

Frank Williams’ life has been characterised by a series of challenges being created by his desire to race. Such challenges were undoubtedly overcome for the same reason - Frank is a racer. In racing, the highs and lows may come thick and fast, but the victories make every setback worth overcoming.

Shaken by the death of Piers Courage at the 1970 Dutch Grand Prix, there was still no option for Frank, he needed to carry on racing. It was what he did. Despite this spirit, financial trouble would cruelly greet Williams and his team a few years later. These woes eventually led to the takeover of his team by Canadian, Walter Wolf. Williams’ future in Formula One? All but written off. After all, he was just another flash in the pan.

Patrick Head, Frank Williams’ chief engineer and right-hand man over the years, has spoken of Frank’s remarkable resilience and ability to find the best of any situation thrown his way. While many might have walked away and put his short-lived F1 journey down as experience, Frank used what he had learned to start a new team - a team that began life in an old carpet factory, a team that took the Williams name to the top of Formula One, a team that still races to this day. 

Just three years following Williams’ 1977 F1 arrival, remarkably, they were champions. Alan Jones took the title, meaning that, once again, Frank achieved the impossible, but how did he manage it? When asked about Frank Williams, Alan Jones gave a typically straightforward perspective, suggesting that Frank’s motivation is such that he could convince you to walk on glass. The focus on striving to achieve better was seemingly infectious for the people around Frank. That gave them an incentive. In having their feet well and truly grounded, the Williams team has removed any sense of entitlement and used this encouragement to take action and seek victory. 

I have spoken about leadership in sport and the ability to energise a team is critical for the very best leaders. Instilling humility within the Williams team has led to each individual taking ownership to work for the best of the team. The result has been intra-team politics being a rare problem for Frank and Claire Williams over the years. This harmonious nature is particularly evident when Williams are compared to their rivals, who have had numerous moments of tension. What is more, those in F1’s current best team, Mercedes, openly admire Frank and the Williams philosophy. Arguably, the Silver Arrows have gone further and adopted this style of leadership to become even more potent in their post-Nico Rosberg era. 

Frank Williams has led the way in creating a down-to-earth, hungry and, therefore, innovative team culture. This way of competing has not just won Williams titles but arguably Mercedes F1 Team and Liverpool Football Club in recent time too - more on that in my podcast. This winning environment is one that team members are willing to work in, with some of F1’s legends having queued up to drive for Williams. 

Does being an independent team have its downsides? Yes. There is no regular money coming in, and wins are few and far between. But would becoming a B team be better? Of course not. Last time a B team won was Alpha Tauri, a few races ago - which doesn’t help my argument. But the Italian outfit had not won since 2008, on a wet day, when they had a better engine than Red Bull. The point is that Frank and Williams, as a whole, are racers. And they race to win, even if it is an uphill battle. To be a champion, you need to do something different to your competitors. That is why Frank Williams is a champion.

Iconic Moment: Frank the Fighter

As has been elaborated upon, Williams’ mentality removes complacency. A lack of comfort encourages the whole team to work in unison towards the goals of constant innovation and overcoming challenges. Frank Williams and his team have faced their fair share of challenges over the years. However, one moment stands apart as their most significant test.

Fatality in Formula One has been a more common occurrence than anyone would wish. Bygone eras would see a driver competing for five years having a 20% chance of dying. Speed kills. Even today the ticket for anyone at the circuit reads “motorsport is dangerous”. In 1986, Williams were on the verge of losing a team member. It wasn’t a driver on the track though - it was their leader. The doctors contemplated turning off Frank Williams’ life support, but he wasn’t going to go out like that. 

Battling a spinal fracture, Frank would need a wheelchair for the remainder of his life. Had he not had the strength to come back, championships in 1986, 1987 and beyond may not have been possible. Some may have felt sorry for themselves but not Frank. He knew that he needed to carry on leading. Not for him, for his team. After all, Frank is a racer - victories make every setback worth overcoming.

Remaining humble means that Williams are not a B Team, arguably keeping the soul of the team present. Independence keeps the team motivated to win in the right way; this is something that Toto and Lewis admire Williams for and have used to their advantage in recent years. In essence, the team exists to race. Commercial factors come later.

Williams rests on the foundations of sportsmanship and humility. These qualities have been lived and breathed by the team through victory and defeat. As the 2020 season comes to a close, team members have come and gone, but the same values live on. Some may feel that the Williams family’s desire to continue running the team limited its pursuit of accomplishment. However, Williams’ fundamental values are what makes them champions. Hopefully, their new owners, Dorilton Capital (who bought the team in September), will Maia gain this culture, bringing Williams similar success in the future.

I really enjoyed researching the Williams team. It confirmed to me their legendary status in the sport. Thank you to Frank, Claire and the Williams family for your incredible tale that still continues today.

Emilia Romagna GP Report: Another exciting race in Italy

The third Grand Prix in Italy, this year, came in the beautiful region of Emilia Romagna. It was a classic track that hosted the race too. Imola is a high-speed circuit with tragic reminders of the dangers of motorsport. 

Modernisation has taken place since that terrible weekend in 1994, and I thoroughly enjoyed watching the drivers take on the challenges of this 4.9 kilometre track. The drivers were constantly on it like they are in Monaco. I can only imagine how much fun it was to drive. 

Biggest Winner: Renault 

A late Max Verstappen tyre failure meant that the safety car came out. A safety car is an excellent opportunity to get a pit stop done while other cars are going slower. Racing Point's Sergio Perez had managed to get up to third from eleventh on the starting grid through typically good tyres management and strategy. However, the decision to pit for fresh tyres gave him a faster car at the end of the race but lost him places despite the safety car conditions. 

Who held on to the podium spot with his old tyres? Daniel Ricciardo. While many were disappointed for Perez, who finished sixth, it is difficult not to smile when Daniel Ricciardo is on the podium.- especially when he remembers to do a 'shoey' (drinking champagne from his boot - an Aussie tradition). Weirdly, Lewis Hamilton elected to join Daniel in performing the shoey on the podium - something the Brit previously vowed never to do. Maybe that's a sign of Hamilton being more spontaneous before retiring sooner than we think. His contract with Mercedes is yet to be signed for next season. 

While it was all smiles for Hamilton and Ricciardo, the real winners are Renault. They sit pretty in a vital third position in the Constructors' Championship. With an incoming Alonso and a race package on the up, I sense that we could be seeing some more of Team Enstone on podiums next season.

Biggest Loser: George Russell

I hate to say it, but George Russell had a shocker. It was only one mistake, but that is enough. During the late safety car, the young Brit was running in contention for his first career points after another exceptional performance on Saturday. Weaving to heat his old, hard tyres, he lost the back end and crashed out of the race. George, along with most people watching, was gutted. 

It was a rookie error, but that is why Mercedes have put George in the Williams seat. Many, including Lewis Hamilton, sent messages of support to Russell, reminding him of the importance of these hard days in making a Champion. George seems to have that growth mindset and will come back from it.

Fernando Alonso believes that George Russell is the most exciting young talent in Formula One right now. Fernando Alonso knows a thing or two about racing, so such a compliment means a lot. 

George may have lost on this occasion, but if his stock is as high as most people believe, this is a moment from which he can grow a lot.

Moment of the Race: Hamilton's Time Trial 

After snatching pole position off his teammate, Valtteri Bottas led the field away. But a poor start from Hamilton meant that Max Verstappen would split the Mercedes during the early stages of the race. Bottas was slowed significantly by a large piece of debris stuck beneath his car, which bunched the top three together, despite them pulling away from the rest of the field. 

Hamilton was the first to complain of his tyres feeling second hand, which usually signals one thing, and it happened again. Verstappen pitted early, looked to gain an advantage from fresher rubber. This move forced Bottas to react with a pit stop on the next lap, allowing Lewis Hamilton to take the lead. Hamilton would then put in fastest lap of the race followed by fastest lap of the race for the following ten laps. Such searing pace brought Hamilton into a position where he would come out of the pit lane at least second place and potentially in the lead. 

A returning Esteban Ocon would then cause a Virtual Safety Car to be deployed, slowing the field down and allowing Hamilton a cheap pit stop to retake the lead. It's a shame that we didn't get to see what might have happened, but you sense Lewis would have got past anyway. It was still fantastic to watch the soon to be seven-time world champion really push Mercedes' most fantastic car to the limit.

Honourable Mention: Alpha Tauri 

Pierre Gasly had a stonking qualifying, starting the race in fourth position. Heart-breaking news would reach him just a few laps into the race that he needed to retire his car due to a loss of engine coolant. Motorsport is so frustrating, but that is what makes the great moments beautiful. 

The Home team didn't give up though. Gasly's Alpha Tauri teammate, Daniil Kvyat, managed to finish in fourth place, following some great moves. With the Russian driver likely heading into his final four Grand Prix, this was a feel-good result. It will be a boost for the whole of Alpha Tauri that they could continue their run of form despite Pierre's disappointment. 

AJontheLine Line of the Weekend: Sebastian Vettel

Sebastian put in a solid performance that could have given him and Ferrari a much-needed haul of points. Looking after his tyres, the German went long into the race and seemed as though he had made the powerful overcut work.

When he finally did come into the pit lane, he appeared to stay in his pit box for an eternity while his mechanics tried to secure his right-front tyre on the car. It wasn't anyone's fault in particular, but it had cost Seb and the team the race. 

Eventually finishing thirteenth, a disappointed Vettel did his best to lift the morale of Ferrari. In Italian, he thanked the individuals who were responsible for the right-front tyres by name and told them not to worry about it. It would be easy to treat the team as badly as some at Ferrari have treated him, but Sebastian is a gentleman.

Imola was better than I expected it to be. It demonstrated that a race doesn't need masses of overtaking to be entertaining. The circuit is old school, and I hope that F1 returns soon. Speaking of returning, we do just that to Turkey. If you've got any spare time, go and watch the Grand Prix highlights in 2010 or the GP2 race in 2006. They may both foreshadow the biggest story of the weekend in a fortnight. Finally, we should do what Niki Lauda would have done and take our hat off to Mercedes. They have now won seven Constructors’ Championships in a row. When we talk about GOATs, Mercedes are unquestionably up there. Stunning.

10/10 Series: Composure and Confidence - Daniel Ricciardo

The next champion that I discuss in this series is not a champion. Be that as it may, ‘The Honey Badger’ is one of those top tier competitors that has proven himself to be capable of being a champion given the right scenario. Ricciardo oozes composure, maintaining the same heart rate and wit /whether he is striding through the paddock or driving at 200mph. 

His move to McLaren for 2021 puts him in the best place to show his brilliance outside of the top three teams. Leaving Red Bull took him away from a race-winning car - a wrong move on paper - but he had already read the situation. The Milton Keynes outfit were committed to chasing records with Max Verstappen rather than back Ricciardo to the same degree. Since then, Red Bull have missed Ricciardo’s presence and lost races as a result of his infilled boots. 

Daniel is the character that every sport needs. He has charisma and doesn’t take himself too seriously, but at the same time, he performs when he heads out to battle. You might wonder whether I have a man-crush - I’m not afraid to admit that to be the case.

Iconic Moment: Hungary 2014

Daniel Ricciardo is box office, and so his special occasions form a long list. The time that comes to mind though is his second win at the Hungarian Grand Prix. 2014 was the year that Ricciardo came of age. The Australian won three races in his first season at Red Bull and ultimately ousted the guy who had won all of the world championships since 2010, Sebastian Vettel. Turning up at a team and putting a world champion in his place is a role reserved for few. Hamilton did it to Alonso in 2007, and last year, Charles Leclerc muscled Seb Vettel out of Ferrari and nearly Formula One. 

In Hungary, it wasn’t just Vettel that Ricciardo took on. In a thrilling conclusion to the race, Ricciardo overtook Lewis Hamilton around the outside - never an easy feat - and then snatched the lead off Fernando Alonso with a late dive down the inside of turn one. To overtake 8 world championships worth of drivers with confidence and decisiveness like he did shows Ricciardo’s ability to hold his nerve. It was a moment where the established drivers woke up to the threat Danny Ric can pose. Years later, he admits that his radio message having taken the lead, “that’s how you do it ladies”, was a touch arrogant. Maybe so. But I told you that he still had wit while performing at the top of his game. Arguably one of the most level-headed drivers in Formula One, Daniel Ricciardo is champion material.

Portuguese GP Race Report: Record Breaker

Formula One returned to Portugal for the first time since 1996, which meant that I could watch my first Portuguese Grand Prix. I thoroughly enjoyed it too. The undulating track with new, slippery asphalt and a sprinkling of rain here and there made for an exciting affair for drivers and fans alike. Would it be nice to have another race there? Yes. Will we have another race there? Probably not. But that's how it is with these super-sub tracks in 2020.

Biggest Winner: Charles Leclerc

In week 1 of my 10/10 Series, I spoke of Charles Leclerc's brilliance and potential to be a champion. This weekend, he proved it, once again, qualifying and finishing fourth in a Ferrari that hasn't exactly been impressive this season. Ferrari have made some upgrades, and the less power-sensitive Algarve International Circuit suited the red cars, indicating that this isn't a huge surprise. However, Leclerc's performance can only be compared to his four-time champion teammate, Sebastian Vettel, who grabbed the final point in tenth position. So the Monegasque  is doing a sterling job.

Leclerc was fortunate in that both Racing Point drivers ran into trouble and Alex Albon had another off day. But he still had to beat the competitive McLaren and Renault teams and did so comfortably. Yes, he finished almost a minute behind the winner, but with context, you can see that Charles is proving that he can perform in cars that don't match his ability. That is what champions do.

Biggest loser: Racing Point

I don't know how they are managing it, but Racing Point sit third in the constructors' championship despite having one of their worst performing seasons. How is this so? In their previous guises as Force India, they would consistently maximise their package to be the best pound for pound team. This year, they have had assistance from Mercedes and more considerable funds, and silly things are letting them down. 

Lance Stroll was the only retiree due to 'too much damage'. I'm not convinced. While he may have had damage from a remarkably clumsy incident with Lando Norris at turn one, I think he could have carried on. Maybe an early bath could save further blushes after receiving penalties for the incident and ignoring track limits. The collision itself was similar to the coming together that he'd had with Verstappen. However, it appeared he hadn't learned his lesson. Neither Norris nor Verstappen were complimentary of his driving. 

Meanwhile, Perez managed to fight back from last place to finish seventh with some great moves. Were it not for the collision with Verstappen, I could have seen the Mexican taking fourth or even fighting for third place. Perez has now finished in the points for the last 16 races. He also sits in sixth position in the championship despite missing two races with Coronavirus. Racing Point are losing one of their biggest assets next year. I hope that he doesn't go to Williams as the rumours are suggesting because that would mean George Russell being cruelly dropped. If anything, it would make sense to stick him next to Verstappen at Red Bull as Albon continues to struggle.

Moment of the Race: Lap 1

As the lights went out, it seemed as though only two of the twenty cars had enough temperature in their tyres to drive around the track. While those at the front looked like Bambi on ice, Carlos Sainz Junior took the lead, and Kimi Raikkonen sliced the field open, moving from 16th to 6th in just over a lap. Crazy.

Once the tyres got up to temperature, the usual suspects returned to the top of the pile. I wonder whether rallying heritage was what led to Carlos and Kimi's superiority on a low-grip surface. That shows what adaptability gives you. 

Honourable Mention: Pierre Gasly 

Once again, the boy from Rouen, Pierre Gasly impressed. Starting 9th, he made his way through the midfield teams, who theoretically have faster cars, to finish in fifth place. He held his nerve and got past Perez late on despite the Mexican's best efforts to block him. 

Even though Gasly is outperforming Albon in a slower car, Red Bull have suggested that if Albon were to depart, Gasly wouldn't be taking his place. - which brings into question the Red Bull's young driver programme. My prediction that Pierre will head to Renault/Alpine at some point. Paddock rumours seem to be pointing in this direction too. Pierre has quality, and I believe that in the right team he can flourish with time.

AJontheLine Line of the Weekend - Martin Brundle comment on Instagram

Sunday saw Lewis Hamilton break a world record, earning the most Grand Prix victories ever with 92. Naturally, the plaudits were pouring in to congratulate him. At the top of Lewis' comment section was Martin Brundle, a highly respected commentator, pundit and former driver. Brundle said "You've earned all 92 wins. You've shown everyone how talented you are and you've never crossed an ethical line on track. You're a role model and a winner."

Brundle highlights what sets Hamilton apart from other drivers who have dominated their generation. While Senna and Schumacher will forever be legends and considered among the greatest of all time, they were prepared to win in an unsporting manner. Hamilton remains on the threshold of what is allowed. Critically though, it is a priority for him to succeed fairly. That is not to say that Lewis is better, but it is certainly a consideration when we sit down for the grandest debate that you can have in any sport. 

Formula One faces a quick turn around as the circus head to Imola for next weekend. Imola is a classic track and high speed. Let's hope it brings as good a race as Portimão.

10/10 Series: Leadership - Toto Wolff

“Success is not about the strongest, but the most adaptable”. These are the words of arguably Formula One’s most outstanding leader, Toto Wolff. Since 2014, as team boss, Wolff has led his Mercedes team to 12 championships in 6 years, winning more than 75% of the races. The numbers suggest then that he has been good at his job. They’d be right. But why is Toto Wolff such a successful champion?

Wolff’s ability to create an open and honest environment, in which each team member is encouraged to flourish sets him apart from other leaders in Formula One and indeed, sport. It is his human touch that has energised the team. Freedom has resulted in innovation, and innovation is essential to maintaining success. In hindsight, it seems obvious that Wolff, who came into Formula One as an investor, would take such a laissez-faire approach. But forget economics. His style is basic psychology.

Wolff famously said that he knows little about how to design an aerodynamic surface but knows a lot about the person in his team that can. This approach to management has been influential in Mercedes’ journey to becoming the most dominant team in Formula One history. These personable skills have led to Lewis Hamilton growing from an all-time great to potentially the greatest of all time. Inspired decisions that Wolff and his former “sparring partner”, Niki Lauda, have taken over the years have yielded dominance. Their star driver, Hamilton continues to perform superhuman acts on the track because he has been in such a stellar mental space. The trust and compassion that Wolff gives his team have led to constant improvement, and with that, trophies.

Iconic Moment: Hungary 2019

In these years of dominance, Wolff has learned on the job and exceeded expectations. Naturally, multiple iconic moments come to mind, many in looking back at successes. Nevertheless, the instance that defines Wolff as a leader came in defeat. In life, we all have bad days but as a champion, bouncing back from challenging times is vital.

Last year, Mercedes celebrated 125 years in motorsport at their home race, the German Grand Prix. Just about everything that could have gone wrong did. It ended with one car in the fence and the other crawling home in the lower places. Toto Wolff and Lewis Hamilton revealed in an interview earlier this year that following a result like that, neither of them can sleep and it pains them. In contrast, a win is a relief that they move on from pretty quickly. This insight demonstrates the immense pressure that they put on themselves. What is critical is that this pressure doesn’t result in tension within the team. A ‘no-blame culture’ throughout the team creates the space for mistakes to happen and learning to be done - it is an excellent place to work.

One week later in Budapest, Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes were back on the top step of the podium. I was lucky enough to attend that race, witnessing a masterful display of teamwork, trust and talent. Lewis Hamilton and the challenger to his throne, Max Verstappen, battled it out. Hamilton’s aggressive two-stop strategy came as a surprise to many, not least Red Bull and Verstappen. The extra pit stop meant that Lewis had fresh rubber - a significant advantage on what my burnt legs can vouch for being a hot day. It allowed him to catch Verstappen and overtake him on track, capitalising on the highly degraded tyres that connected the Dutchman’s car to the track. 

You will note that Toto Wolff is not mentioned in the description of the race - odd given that this is a race that defined his leadership. It all goes back to the culture that he has created within Mercedes’ team. The victory came as a result of strategists having the freedom to take the initiative and innovate. The team trusted their pit crew and driver (who had had a horror show at the previous race) to rise to the challenge. Only a team with a leader like Wolff can bounce back in this sort of fashion. The results and longevity of success is, therefore, hardly a surprise.

10/10 Series: Growth Mindset - Charles Leclerc

Just before Christmas of 2019, Charles Leclerc received one of the biggest gifts a person can receive. He signed a contract that sees him driving the red car for another five years. A no-brainier from the perspective of the twenty-two-year-old Monégasque, but bold from Ferrari to put their chips on Charles’ name. Why it is that Ferrari can confidently choose Leclerc as their driver for the future? They already had an experienced four-time world champion in the form of Sebastian Vettel, and Leclerc had only driven for the team for a single season? It is clear - Charles Leclerc is a future world champion.

As a sport with only twenty competitors, Formula One is a place exclusively for the best of the best. As a result, determining which drivers are special enough to be champion material can be challenging. Nevertheless, a select group of drivers define a generation. We currently find ourselves in a transition period, between two eras. The past decade or so has been all about the likes of Hamilton, Vettel and Alonso. On the brink of equalling the once unmatchable Michael Schumacher, Lewis Hamilton’s reign continues. While there are similarities to be drawn between the six-time champion and Peter Pan, he is only human. His chapter in Formula One’s tale will be over.

The teams are all but aware of Hamilton’s human nature, and are preparing to strike as soon as he retires. Mercedes already have two potential replacements waiting in the wings in the form of Estaban Ocon and George Russell. Red Bull have been committed for a while to Max Verstappen, who is also on a long term contract. McLaren sits pretty with their homegrown talent, Lando Norris, and an incoming proven race winner in Daniel Ricciardo. And then there is Ferrari, with the fast and experienced recruit of Carlos Sainz joining their star boy, Charles Leclerc. These drivers, it would appear, are the Formula One champions of tomorrow. 

So why is Charles Leclerc being backed to become champion over Vettel?

Age may be a factor - with ten years on his side, Leclerc provides scope for a more long-term plan in comparison to Vettel. Charles also outscored Vettel in the championship last year. Another major blow, given that this Leclerc’s first season with Ferrari. This longevity and speed alone were probably enough for Ferrari to favour the 22-year-old. However, the quality that Charles Leclerc showed that increased his stock to ‘future champion’ was the improvement that he showed through the season. 

Whenever you look at some of sport’s greatest champions, be it Lewis Hamilton, Anthony Joshua or Billie Jean King, they are fixated on constant improvement. Bouncing back from disappointment is significant for becoming a champion because the opposite would be to further decline. In life, we all have bad days; therefore, how we learn from these moments of pain will determine the level of success. In sport, things are no different. 

Iconic Moment: The boy becomes the man

In 2019, Charles Leclerc demonstrated, what psychologists call, a ‘growth mindset’. This is an ability to learn from people and experiences - essential in sport. While he did openly criticise himself - “I am stupid” comes to mind - Charles used the pressure that he put on himself to encourage growth as a driver. The quote above came after crashing during qualifying in Baku. How did he respond? With a more measured approach that saw him pick up the most pole positions of anyone throughout the season. He also handled the politics of Ferrari in a cute but effective manner. Having advisors, who know the way that Ferrari works, was undoubtedly a factor in Charles ability to make better decisions publicly and internally. While Sebastian made mistakes and continued to get flustered, Charles became the calm, likeable figure on which his team could rely.

The summer of ‘19 was a period in which Leclerc’s race craft blossomed. In Austria, he was mugged in the closing period of the Grand Prix by Max Verstappen, who dived up the inside and forced Leclerc off the track. The young horse and bull resumed battle just a week later in Silverstone. This time, it was Leclerc, who now knew the limits to which he could acceptably race, coming out on top in an astonishing wheel to wheel battle. While it was not the win, it was proof to the world that the young boy from Monaco was learning how to become the man. 

Just as summer neared completion, Charles Leclerc had a final test of his championship potential. The stage? Ferrari’s home turf - Monza is a place of expectation for anyone driving a Ferrari. If said driver wins, they will not just be Ferrari’s hero but Italy’s. The competitor? The most successful Formula One driver of this generation - Lewis Hamilton had won four of the last five Italian Grand Prix. So for Leclerc, the pressure was immense, and any mistakes would be punished. 

And so the tale played out with tension as all great stories do. Leclerc led away, chased closely by Hamilton. Champions choose their moments to attack, and Hamilton did this. Round Curva Grande, Lewis took the inside line, Charles held on outside, knowing that if he did so, he would hold the critical inside line at the following chicane. 

Some of the most significant praise that Lewis Hamilton has acquired from his peers in recent years is his ability to push to the limit and never go over. He can force his opponents into mistakes and take the upper hand.

As Hamilton and Leclerc charged towards the chicane, Leclerc ushered Hamilton off the road, reaching the limit of acceptable racing and sending Italy into raptures. A matter of minutes later, Leclerc crossed the line, victorious in a Ferrari in Italy. It was this summer that the boy became the man.

10/10 Series: What makes a sporting champion?

10 Blog Posts.

10 Podcasts.

Join me, as we find out what makes a champion in sport.

Eifel GP Race Report: 2 GOATs

Formula One returned to the Nurburgring this weekend. Not for the German Grand Prix, but the Eifel Grand Prix - ask the rights holders why. Whatever the name of the race, the challenge of an excellent and classic track presented itself, and it didn’t disappoint.

Biggest winner: What do you reckon?

I know it’ll take many by surprise, so make sure you are sitting down before you read the following sentence. Lewis Hamilton won the Grand Prix. The metronomic fashion in which he churns out the victories has led to such high expectation from the world and himself - anything less than a win is a nasty shock. That is how the very best function. On this occasion, he joined the best, matching Michael Schumacher’s 91 victories at the top of the tree for race victories. 

Jackie Stewart was talking earlier this week of his opinion that Lewis will never match the greats of the past of Jim Clark and Juan Manual Fangio because he has had the best car. Stewart is highly respected by many; however, his view, like everyone, might be questioned. What is true is that over the years, the most outstanding drivers have sat in the most excellent cars, and this has been the case since Fangio and will be the case after Hamilton. 

I remember when I watched my first Grand Prix. It was the race in Canada in 2007. I was immediately excited by the rookie who was winning because that’s what I’d seen Lightning McQueen do. This rookie brought my attention to Formula One. 13 years later, that rookie is on top of his game as well as the competition. 

Once again, arguably Britain’s most successful sportsperson of this generation was overlooked for a knighthood. Yes, he’s not at the end of his career, but neither are Sir Mo or Sir Andy. With the greatest of respect to these fine athletes, it brings the meaning of honours into question.

However, whatever your opinion of the man, you can hardly deny that he is one of the greatest of all time and a fantastic ambassador for British sport. Congratulations.

Biggest loser: Alex Albon

It was a race of attrition, where a quarter of the field failed to finish. For that reason, you could argue that there were multiple losers, which is true. Bottas certainly suffered a significant loss, relinquishing the lead of the race due to a mistake into the first corner and then retiring with an engine issue. He now trails Hamilton in the championship by 69 points. He doesn’t give up, but overcoming that margin will require luck and beating a driver who I’ve already described with enough superlatives. 

Instead, Alex Albon had a concerning weekend. I want so badly to do well, but he is making it difficult for himself and his team. After qualifying fifth, he was asked whether he thinks that he can get a podium. He wasn’t so convinced and said that he would be happy with fourth. He is in the second fastest car. To finish fourth should be the minimum goal that he has in mind. The issue that he has is that Mercedes and Max Verstappen are consistently on form, so to get on the podium in normal circumstances is a challenge. But even so, as a top-level athlete, you have to be focused on only number one. 

With Bottas’ troubles, Albon had the tools to finish at least third. However, a tardy start saw him drop back. Red Bull then pitted him for tyres in a hope to make something happen with fresh tyres. Yet, in fighting back through the pack, he had a clumsy collision with Kvyat, resulting in damage that forced him to retire. The only positive of doing so meant that he didn’t have to serve his penalty. With the likes of Perez without a drive and Gasly winning in the junior team, Alex needs to swim fast because Formula One is the deep end.

Moment of the race: Ricciardo’s maiden podium for Renault

Daniel Ricciardo left his previous employers with a pair of boots that seemingly cannot be filled. At the end of the year, he will leave his current employers with a tattoo on the team boss. He finally achieved the podium that he and Renault had deserved this season. A former bet between himself and Cyril Abiteboul on whether the Aussie could score a podium also means that the Frenchman is getting inked for the first time. Daniel is picking the design. The Australian is part of the upper echelon of drivers, and even if he doesn’t have the car to do it every weekend, he is always aiming for the top. That’s why he could achieve the podium finish. 

The best moment for me was that Daniel made sure that he took the time to congratulate every team member that was waiting for him in the pit lane with a fist bump. Given that he is leaving at the end of the season, it could be unharmonious, but because it is Daniel, that won’t be the case. 

Honourable mention: Nico ‘Hulkenback’

At 11 am on Saturday, Nico Hulkenberg was sat with a friend in a Cologne cafe, drinking coffee. Tranquil. Moments later, he was in his car, driving to the Nurburgring. Lance Stroll was ill, and so Hulkenberg was called in to play the super-sub role - again. 

Covering for Perez at Silverstone was tough, but this weekend was even more difficult for the German because he had no practice at all. That translated to him qualifying in last place. The prizes aren’t handed out on a Saturday though, and Sunday was a different day. From the back, Nico climbed up the order, keeping out of trouble and showing his class to finish in eighth position. He is now 15th in the championship with 10 points. To put that into perspective, he is 7 points behind Sebastian Vettel, who has competed in all of the races this year - Nico has only started two Grand Prix. 

It was a shame that he lost his seat last year. These sorts of performances show that he is still one of the best drivers on the planet. I think that he and his teammate, Sergio Perez, would be great signings for Haas, who are looking around. 

‘AJontheLine’ Line of the weekend: Classic Kimi

In a record-breaking weekend for Formula One, and indeed world sport, it was fitting that Kimi Räikkönen became the most experienced Grand Prix driver ever. The word ‘indifferent’ was one made for Kimi, and in achieving this milestone, he was annoyed with the fuss that he was getting. You would expect nothing less. A dry sense of humour accompanies Kimi’s laid-back nature, and at 40, he is still as quick-witted as ever.

For Sky Sports F1, Kimi spoke on a Zoom call to highly-respected pundit and commentator, Martin Brundle, and the previous holder of the record and all-round good guy, Rubens Barrichello. In closing out the interview, Brundle observed that there were six legs, six arms and probably one brain between them. Kimi then pointed out that the single brain among them was his own. This is why he has the huge following that he does. This is why I am yet to find someone that doesn’t like Kimi.

It was apt that it was at the Nurburgring that Hamilton matched Michael. The Nurburgring is, after all, the local track for the Schumacher family. There was a touching moment after the race when Mick Schumacher (son of Michael and future F1 driver) presented Lewis with a race-worn helmet of Michael’s in recognition of the achievement. Given Michael’s state, pieces of the German’s history like that helmet means so much to the family and now to Lewis. It felt like a passing on of the baton, for Lewis to take it and run. Michael did always say that records were there to be broken.

See you in Portugal.