And The Winner Is????

F1 Constructor's Trophy, AGP Trophy, F1 Driver's Championship Trophy. AGP 2020. (C)

    What a riveting season this year's Formula One championship has been. The title quest seems unwilling to attach itself to the two leading championship contenders. Will Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton win an unprecedented 8th title, or will Red Bull Racing's Max Verstappen abscond with his first? The so called Mercedes circuits have gone to Red Bull, and the Red Bull strongholds have been opportunistically snatched by Mercedes. This is one of the best seasons that we can ever recall. 
    Many a pundit has previously suggested that Max will succumb to the pressure as Lewis has won the championship multiple times before. We don't subscribe to this ideal. Max is mentally extremely strong, unperturbed by outside influences, and hence unflappable. Remember he started F1 only 2 years after winning the World Karting Championship. Many a karting champion has not been able to cut it in formula categories, but not Verstappen. Besides you don't become world karting champ without withstanding pressure, as it's impossible to control the race and win by 20 seconds or more like you can in other categories. The competition is always right there behind you waiting to pounce on any mistake. With five F1 races left to go, it's refreshing to read that many of these pundits have changed their tune. Hamilton could still very well win this year, and Max will be just as unflappable. He knows he'll have his day. Do you think that Max is a once in a generation driver?
    Tomorrow morning's (Australian time) Mexican Grand Prix could present an intriguing scenario. Mercedes have surprisingly locked out the front row with Red Bull on the second row at a so called Red Bull circuit. Max's team mate Sergio Perez is Mexican and a national superstar. Imagine a situation where Perez could be in a position to win the race, but told to let Verstappen pass for the sake of the championship? Bold and brazen to say the least. But how will the Mexican fans react?

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