From Behind the Glasses
The US Grand Prix was generally entertaining, even if yet again we didn't get a battle for the lead. Grosjean's drive to second place was that of a champion, holding off the intense charge of Mark Webber in the final laps, and whilst he couldn't catch Vettel he did a fantastic job. He is now the second highest points scorer of the last 5 races and you have to marvel at how far he's come from his first-lap-nutcase days of 2012 that put paid to Alonso's title hopes and saw him sit out the race in Italy. You wonder if he can continue such form in 2014, and if Lotus can scrape up the pennies to build him a strong car, whether he might really become a challenger. Webber took his 40th podium, and hopefully not his last as I desperately hope he can stand on the top step in Brazil to say goodbye to F1. He drove a great race but was caught out at the start and unable to find a way back. Behind them, we saw a quiet if productive race from Hamilton to take fourth, who seems happy to just close out the season and then get away for the winter. As a man that wears his heart on his sleeve he is clearly not entirely comfortable within himself and where he is right now, likely due to his relationship issues of late and the inability to challenge for the championship again. A good winter and working out a new approach for 2014 will do him good. Alonso raced hard but couldn't get further up with his Ferrari, but was wily in how he held off Hulkenberg's final lap overtake in turn one, a very smart and calculated move that made me smile. Hulkenberg gave another stunning performance, and how any team right now can contemplate not bidding for him is beyond me. Perez raced hard, racing for his career right now, in front of the closest thing he has to home fans whilst Bottas was fantastic in pulling his Williams up to eighth and much needed points. The midfield action was a little lacking, as despite the proximity of Di Resta, Massa, Button and the two Torro Rosso drivers, things seemed a little stagnant. Button did however ace a penultimate lap overtake on Ricciardo for the final point which was great. Whilst the US Grand Prix was no classic, it was still a lot better than Abu Dhabi, India or Korea and was supported by a big crowd, something it needs for the US market to continue. It has helped to show that a dedicated F1 facility can deliver good racing in America, and hopefully it can be built on, though I hope not with a dreadful New York street race, which would merely be another awful showpiece like Singapore.