What with last weekend, and how this weekend has played out thus far, Max Verstappen and Red Bull appear to be repeating the turnaround of 2025.
However, don't expect the Dutchman to arrive in Abu Dhabi - or Imola - with a chance of securing the title, not unless Toto, the FIA and Stefano all have access to 'Stop Kimi' buttons.
Finally, Max, his car and his engine are in the groove and there appears to be no stopping them.
The Dutchman has been typically remorseless this weekend, and while many are celebrating the fact that this is his 250th start - yesterday having witnessed his 50th pole position - the four-time world champion simply wants to get on with it.
Unfortunately, things haven't been quite so smooth for his teammate who starts from the pitlane following an overnight change of engine.
The Frenchman is joined by the Aston Martin pair after making set-up changes overnight, while George Russell, who has taken on even more new engine components, starts from the back after being handed a 60-place grid drop.
Mercedes claims that it is finally beginning to understand the update introduced last weekend, though we wait to see if they are finally on top of the situation. Russell aside, it hasn't been a trouble-free weekend for Antonelli, though, in all honesty, the youngster can afford a couple of 'off' weekends. (But not 'the button')
The Ferraris look strong, and judging by qualifying both Hamilton and Leclerc are up for it, while the McLaren pair will still be smarting following their Sprint clash.
Gasly got the better of the RB duo yesterday, and this will be the fight to watch, especially with Audi and Haas battling behind.
Once conditions improved yesterday's Sprint turned out to be as processional as expected, and while that will probably be the case today, now that the 'big prize' is at stake - and the fact that we have a two week break before Austin - might tempt drivers to take a few more risks.
That said, teams are already looking ahead to 2027, and the last thing they need is to replace damaged parts, both in terms of resources, time and money.
The pitlane opens and Verstappen cannot wait to get things started, he leads Sainz, Bearman, Albon and Colapinto.
Pirelli believes the soft represents the most interesting option for the start, which could be heavily influenced by any Safety Car periods. The higher level of grip offered by the soft in the opening phase should make it the preferred choice for most drivers, who may look to extend the first stint, aided by the low degradation levels, while waiting for a favourable neutralisation.
For the second part of the race, the medium and hard offer relatively similar performance, although the medium could provide an advantage in terms of grip. At present, a two-stop strategy appears unlikely, as it is estimated to be around ten seconds slower than the available one-stop alternatives.
Of the big guns, all bar Antonelli have one set of fresh softs (Hadjar has three), while the McLaren pair and the Ferrari drivers have two sets of fresh mediums.
Those aiming to start on softs and then switch to medium are looking at a window between Laps 26 to 32, while those intending to switch to hards will most likely stop between Laps 23 to 29. If starting on the medium, one would be expected to pit between Laps 25 to 31.
Stroll has already been noted for a practice start infringement.
Air temperature is 30 degrees, while the track temperature is 44 degrees. There is a 5% chance of rain.
Ahead of the formation lap there appears to be an issue with Antonelli's car, seemingly it involves a sensor.
Has someone pushed the button?
All are on softs bar Hamilton, Gasly, Lindblad, Hulkenberg, Bortoleto, Colapinto, Albon, Bottas, Russell and Hadjar, who are on mediums. Leclerc, Antonelli and Lawson are on used rubber (softs).
Interesting that there are quite a few teams splitting their strategies.
They head off on the formation lap, all getting away cleanly, though Leclerc is a little slow off his grid slot.
The grid forms, as Hadjar and the Astons peel off into the pitlane.
On the second row, Antonelli's car is pointing towards the middle of the track.
They're away! An OK start from Verstappen, but a better getaway from Leclerc. The Dutchman moves across the track to cover him and while the Ferrari has the inside line for Turn 1, Verstappen, running over the kerb, leads into Turn 2.
Lawson and Piastri are side-by-side and as Antonelli takes a look at Hamilton, Norris is all over the Italian.
Meanwhile, into Turn 1, Lindblad was sandwiched between Sainz and Hulkenberg, losing a number of places in the process.
"That was quite dangerous what Sainz did," claims Lindblad. "If I didn't brake all three crash."
At the end of Lap 1, it's: Verstappen, Leclerc, Hamilton, Antonelli, Norris, Piastri, Lawson, Hulkenberg, Gasly and Sainz. Great start from the Spaniard, while Russell is up to 17th.
Bearman and Ocon are battling for 11th, Beaman runs wide and passes his teammate but subsequently hands the position back. However, the Briton subsequently makes a move that sticks.
Lap 3 sees Hamilton post a new fastest lap (38.435) as he maintains a 1s gap behind his teammate.
Verstappen responds with a 37.949, as he maintains 0.9s lead over Leclerc.
Still down in 20th, Hadjar reports various issues with his car as Bearman passes Sainz for 10th.
Russell passes Colapinto for 14th.
On Lap 8, Bortoleto pulls to the side of the track near the pitlane exit. It appears to be a transmission issue.
The VSC is deployed, however the leading pack opt not to take advantage and pit.
The VSC is withdrawn as the Audi is pushed into the pitlane.
Hadjar is up to 17th having passed Alonso and Perez.
In the pitlane marshals are dealing with a smoking Audi, as a result the pitlane entrance is closed.
Sainz and Lindblad have both been noted for leaving the track and gaining an advantage.
After 10 laps, Hamilton has dropped 3.3s behind Leclerc, with Antonelli less than a second behind.
"I think Plan c, and opposite to Red Bull," urges Leclerc.
"Do you still agree that your idea would be best," Norris is asked, in reference to a suggestion he seemingly made during a strategy meeting. "Yes," replies the 2025 world champion.
A late braking gamble sees Russell pass Sainz for 12th.
"If we can continue to eke this out it will help our cause," Verstappen is advised. The Dutchman responds with a new fastest lap (37.197).
Indeed, over the next couple of gap Verstappen builds a 3.4s lead.
As Antonelli maintains a 0.6s gap to Hamilton, Norris closes in from behind.
"For Plan C we need to pick up the pace," Hamilton is told. "I don't have the pace," he replies. "Then it is Plan B," the Briton is warned.
"Can you undercut the cars ahead," Norris is asked. "Yes," he replies. Those cars being Hamilton and Antonelli.
At the end of Lap 18 it is Hamilton who goes for the undercut, the Ferrari not making his intentions clear until the very last possible moment.
He rejoins in 7th, on softs, ahead of Hulkenberg, but behind Lawson.
"Track limits Turn 1, Kimi, keep an eye on it," says Norris.
"I cannot go much longer," admits Leclerc when asked for an update on his tyres. He has dropped 6.5s behind Verstappen, with Antonelli 5.7s behind.
As Hamilton posts a new fastest lap (37.170), Russell passes Ocon for eleventh.
At the end of Lap 22, Albon is the second driver to pit.
Next time around, Antonelli pits. Switching to mediums, he rejoins in sixth, 3.1s down on Hamilton.
Leclerc pits at the end of Lap 24, the Monegasque switching to mediums and emerging in fourth, just ahead of his Ferrari teammate.
Norris is now running second, 15.9s down on Verstappen.
"Degradation looks low," Antonelli is told, "we're happy for you to lean on this tyre and see what happens."
"We lost two seconds on that last lap," warns Hamilton as he follows his teammate. "Yes, we saw," he is told.
Lindblad and Stroll both pit.
Leclerc responds with a new fastest lap (36.890).
"I need to use this speed, mate," urges Hamilton. However, he is only told to use more "management in 10 and 18 for tyres and performance".
Ocon pits as Russell closes to within 0.8s of the other Haas in tenth.
Gasly pits at the end of Lap 29, as does Bottas. The Frenchman rejoins in 14th.
Colapinto is in the run-off area at Turn 8, bringing out the yellows. He gets going again, but only to get the Alpine off track.
Hulkenberg pits as does Lawson.
"I feel something leaking between my feet," reports Antonelli.
Verstappen pits at the end of Lap 32, as Lawson rejoins ahead of Hulkenberg and Sainz also pits, as does Norris.
Verstappen still leads, albeit by just 1.5s, with Piastri second, ahead of Leclerc, Hamilton, Antonelli and Norris.
Hadjar is up to 11th but has yet to pit. Make that 12th, as he is overtaken by Gasly.
It's a slow stop for Piastri, who rejoins in sixth, 6.2s down on his teammate.
Bearman pits, thereby promoting Russell to seventh. However, the Mercedes driver has yet to stop.
As Piastri posts a new fastest lap (36.426), Hadjar passes Sainz for 14th.
"Charles is trying to pick up the pace," Hamilton is told, "he is now on Plan C, we are on Plan B."
Antonelli gets a black and white for track limits.
"Check the car, I had weird behaviour last corner," urges the Italian.
Stroll is also shown the black and white. He subsequently stops at Turn 15.
The VSC is deployed as Stroll is told to stop his car as he has a clutch issue.
"Box, box," Leclerc is told, as Antonelli also stops.
As Russell dives into the pits the VSC is withdrawn. He rejoins in 10th, 2.5s down on Gasly.
Verstappen leads Hamilton by 8.5s, with Leclerc a further 7.8s behind.
Quickest in all three sectors, Leclerc posts a new fastest lap (35.202).
"Mate, I have no brakes," warns Antonelli, "last corner I went straight."
Piastri pits having suffered a slow puncture. He rejoins in sixth.
"Something's happened, I don't know what," says Hamilton, "check my tyres." However, his team can find no issues.
In 10th, Russell is unable to pass Gasly who is all over Hulkenberg.
"It looks like heat soak," Antonelli is told. The Italian, despite his various issues, including no brakes, has just gone quickest in S1.
"We are on Plan B, we are getting close," Hamilton is told. "We are 6 laps short to do Plan C," he is advised.
"Let's not lose time," warns Leclerc as he closes on his teammate. The Monegasque subsequently passes Hamilton who yields the position.
Russell continues to harry Gasly, as Hadjar closes on Ocon.
Another track limits violation for Antonelli as Russell finally passes in Turn 7 Gasly for ninth.
This looks like another strategic screw up by Ferrari. Norris is just 2s down on Hamilton, who, assuming he does need to stop again - he's been on those mediums for 31 laps - he'll be lucky to finish 5th. He is currently lapping 2s slower than his teammate.
A cryptic exchange between Verstappen and Lambiase as to whether the Dutchman would be willing to pit again should the Safety Car or VSC be deployed.
Norris and Antonelli are closing in on Hamilton.
Norris makes a move in Turn 16, but Hamilton has it covered. For now. Norris makes another move and this time Hamilton runs wide, in the process Antonelli passes the McLaren, both still behind the Ferrari.
Hamilton has been noted for leaving the track and gaining an advantage.
Antonelli makes short work of the seven-time world champion, who continues to hold off the McLaren.
Finally, in Turn 10, Norris gets it done.
Hamilton will be, rightly, livid about this latest strategic failure.
No further action over Hamilton.
"Track limits, track limits, track limits," Antonelli is told. "Did I get one," he asks. "no, but you're pushing it," he is told.
Hadjar passes Gasly for tenth, to claim the final point.
Norris is told to stay within 5s of Antonelli has he has three strikes in terms of track limits. He is currently 7.8s down on the Mercedes driver.
Norris is told to be careful under braking as there is a sensor issue. Teammate Piastri is just 0.4s down on Hamilton.
Norris asks if he should help his teammate - by backing up Hamilton - he is told not to.
As Verstappen begins the final lap, Hamilton is battling Piastri hard. However, the Briton is unable to hold off the determined Australian and slips to sixth.
Verstappen takes the flag ahead of Leclerc, Antonelli, Norris, Piastri, Hamilton, Lawson, Hulkenberg, Russell and Hadjar.
Gasly is eleventh, ahead of Bearman, Ocon, Sainz, Lindblad, Alonso, Perez, Albon and Bottas.
"Sorry boys, I let you down today with that strategy, my call," says Hamilton. "I lost us valuable points, I'll try and make up for it in the next one. Great job with the pit stop though." "Understood, thank you Lewis," he is told.
"It was a very tough race out there," says Antonelli, "but really happy with a podium in the end.
"I managed to take advantage of the fight with Lando and Lewis, and very I'm happy with that."
Told that he can clinch the title in Austin, he is surprised before insisting that he will take it as it happens.
"We were quite strong at the beginning of the race, then we started degrading," admits Leclerc.
"We did a different strategy to Max," he adds, "I gave it my all and I don't regret anything.
"I don't think there was much more to do today, maybe a little more aggressive at the start. It is what it is."
"It has taken a while," says Verstappen of his first win here, "but I think this race was very good.
"We had pace when we needed to have it, on the soft tyre and the medium.
"Luckily the start was just good enough," he grins.
"I think the last few races have been really positive for us, we have a lot of motivation in the team to try and deliver even more results. Hopefully we can have a bit more fun until the end of the year."
In the cool-down room, Verstappen and Leclerc laugh at the replay of the start.
"F****** hell," says Leclerc to Verstappen.
"I gave you the least amount of space to send it in," the Dutchman laughs.
"Did you guys have issues with the brakes?" asks Antonelli, "I don't know what happened, but the pedal..."
At which point the censors kick in.
Not the most inspiring of races, not that we were expecting anything special.
However, Verstappen's win is further proof that there is a revival taking place and that should liven up the remaining races, whether Antonelli claims the title in Austin or not.
