I don't know is this season will be a reflection of this first GP, but it looks like the combo Red Bull-Verstappen is head and shoulders above the opposition at the moment. Max didn't break a sweat to win easily, probably starting a new chapter of his dominance. Mercedes and Ferrari have a lot to catch up, and may be unable to do it with the restrictions in place. If this keeps up, Max will challenge Hamilton's records within a few years (he is already one third there in terms of wins), and I am looking forward to that ! The welcome surprise for me was Aston Martin moving to the front. Aston and the Strolls are very much derided on this forum, but I liked seeing Alonso bringing one of the green cars to podium position. In the opposite, McLaren's race was a disaster, and the team is far from its once greatness, now keeping company with Williams.
I have been skeptical of the Stroll Aston Martin buy out, simply as a biz guy I'm not sure how much economic sense it makes... then add in the F1 team it really makes less sense... but i guess looking at it more pragmatically, F-1 is going to be a money maker, and that can only be good for the road cars.. I see plenty of Astons here in Atlanta, so someone is buying them... It is good to see them move up, its a great name, and historic brand so its what I like to see. As for McLaren - my sworn enemy over the years as a Ferrari fan, I also am alarmed, they have really fell down, and I worry that they will become another Williams .... but with a lot more debt load... the road cars are cool, but not well made... and again you can see alot here in Atlanta, but everyone I have talked to that owns one regrets the purchase... that cant be good.
Aston Martin went through many vicissitudes during its life, going through several bankruptcies and 9 changes of owners, so far. Yet, the brand always find investors to help it survive, so I am not too worried about it. It's a British institution. Having a F1 team looked as an abberation for such a small manufacturer, but after Sunday's result, I may change my mind. McLaren suffered from conflict between shareholders at one point, now Zak Brown management comes under question. The road car company suffered from Ron Dennis' departure; he was really the instigator of that venture. McLaren cars are like Lotus of the past: people use to joke that their car was bought "assembled but not finished". The F1 team has a hard time since the hybrid formula and, like Williams, has fallen backward.
