Let’s begin with a question: six months ago at the start of March, when the season got going in Bahrain, who didn’t expect that, come mid-September, we’d be where we are?
The answer, of course, is “Absolutely everyone”. And as if to prove the point – that what felt like the world’s most predictable sport is now one of its least – an alert flashes up on my phone advising me that Lewis Hamilton will begin today’s race from the pit lane after taking a new engine. Oops!
But sadly for the almost-goat, that’s a subplot – at best. The main event is, of course, the race for the driver championship, and we’re still in total ignorance as to how that might end. Max Verstappen, champion in each of the last three seasons, is struggling – or his car is – so though he leads the standings by 62 points, with eight races to go he’s vulnerable … if one of those chasing him can find the necessary consistency to take advantage of his car’s deterioration.
Easier said than done: Lando Norris, the nearest challenger, had a nightmare in qualifying and beings from 15th on the grid. So, while Verstappen is only sixth, he now has a great chance to increase his lead at the top while ticking off another race. We shall see!
Lights out: 3pm local, 12pm BST