Lewis Hamilton led the cries of boring, boring Formula One after his lights-to-flag victory at the French Grand Prix last weekend. Ahead of the Austrian Grand Prix this weekend, JONATHAN McEVOY explores the issues facing the sport and how they might be resolved...
Hamilton's dominance
I specifically cite Lewis rather than Mercedes here. Yes, Mercedes are the super team of their time, just as Ferrari, Red Bull, Williams, McLaren and Lotus have been in other periods, but the real star is the 34-year-old Briton.
Britain's Lewis Hamilton is arguably the greatest performer motor racing has known
Consider, for example, where his team-mate Valtteri Bottas finished in last year's championship — fifth, behind the two Ferrari men and the Red Bull of Max Verstappen. Hamilton, by comparison, wrapped up the title with two races remaining.
And in France last Sunday, Hamilton mined a golden 18-second advantage over Bottas on a car park of a track that offered little opportunity for exploitation.
Mercedes are culpable for the lack of internal competition. Poor Valtteri, a very decent driver but showing no signs of improvement, will never provide it. They should go for a new No 2. The dream incomer would be Verstappen, the prince who will prosper when Hamilton retires.
Mercedes are the super team of their time but Lewis Hamilton is the real star
What about Mercedes' junior driver George Russell, who is impressing at Williams?
But we should remind ourselves that we are privileged to be watching arguably the greatest performer motor racing has known. He is the sport's Don Bradman.
Ferrari failure
The Scuderia are the great enigma of Formula One. Vastly resourced, historically significant, they continue to defy expectations.
They set the pace in pre-season and then, like a vanishing trick, it is gone. Sebastian Vettel and Charles Leclerc have made too many mistakes between them. Vettel, low on confidence as Hamilton marauds, is not worthy of the outright No 1 status the team are contorting themselves to give him.
Ferrari are the great enigma of Formula One as they continue to defy expectations
Their strategy lacks cohesion and they wasted time pursuing a forlorn review of the punishment Vettel was handed in Canada when he veered on to the grass — a mistake again from a man who was a metronome during his Red Bull success. Mattia Binotto, the bespectacled new team principal, appears to be more boffin than leader. And he
