In 2014, the FIA introduced a new engine for the sport. They replaced the 2.4-liter V8 with the 1.6-liter V6 turbocharged hybrid. The turbo hybrid era was bossed by Mercedes. But it now looks like the baton has been passed on, unwillingly of course, to Red Bull and Max Verstappen.

In the eight years between 2014 and 2021, Mercedes completely and utterly dominated F1. They managed to win all 8 Constructors’ Championships, and only lost their 8th Driver’s Championship on the final lap of the 2021 season. No team could even sniff the trophy in that era.

But 2021 signaled change when Verstappen got hold of the WDC. But the void remained – the Milton Keynes-based team was yet to win the WCC since they last won it in 2013.

The Austrian team had been going through emotional times as their founder, Dietrich Mateschitz, passed away aged 78. Mateschitz was the father of the team, the man who conceived the idea of investing in F1. An emotive Max posted on Instagram after Red Bull confirmed their WCC at Austin. The post said, “This one is for Dietrich 🙏So happy we could wrap up the win and the constructors’ championship, after such an emotional weekend for everyone @redbull. The only thing we could do today was win.”

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For the team to pay him back with such a trophy was a fitting tribute to the contributions he made to Red Bull Racing as well as F1 as a sport.

Mercedes and the King were buoyant after a strong showing in the US GP

Verstappen registered his 13th win of the season and Red Bull clinched that ever-evasive WCC title in Austin, but it was no cakewalk for them.

Lewis Hamilton looked much better on Sunday night in comparison to his previous outings this season. He led for 7 laps but could only manage a P2. While he continues to look for his first win this season, as well as Mercedes’, he was visibly encouraged by the performance from the upgrades in the W13.

He said, “I mean, I am shattered. The car was a handful today. It felt amazing firstly to be in the lead. That is something we have been working so hard on as a team through the year and I felt so much hope, but it’s okay.”

“We’ll hold on to that, we’ll keep pushing and we’ll try and give it everything we have in the next three [Grands Prix]. It will come to us at some stage.”I want to give a big shoutout to my team. We came here with upgrades, we closed the gap a little bit. We were so, so close, I did everything I could to try and stay ahead [of Verstappen] but they were just a little bit too quick today.”

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Mercedes fans will be thoroughly thrilled by the improvements the team and the car showed in Austin. Next weekend in Mexico could possibly break the duck for them. 2023 looks much better now.