Quiet battle rages

It is easy to just concentrate on the battle between Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen and then also forget that their battle for supremacy extends into the paddock.

On Sunday, Toto Wolff and Co dished up a masterclass in tactics, one that Christian Horner of Red Bull couldn’t answer.

On the 42nd lap, Hamilton came in for a pitstop – his second of the afternoon – to change to a fresher set of medium compound tyres, which placed him some 20 seconds behind leader Verstappen.

An inspired strategy, it paid dividends on the 60th lap after Hamilton hunted down and overtook Verstappen to claim the victory six laps later.

Red Bull had two options when this played out: Keep Verstappen out on track, or bring him in. They went with the latter, and it ultimately cost them a second win of the season.

Wolff is a serial winner, and right now he is beating Horner.