Kyle Larson sealed his second NASCAR Cup Series championship in dramatic fashion at Phoenix Raceway, triumphing over Denny Hamlin, Chase Briscoe, and William Byron in a tense season finale.

Despite a puncture that dropped him down the order with 100 laps to go, Larson’s resilience and race strategy proved decisive. The final laps brought chaos, Hamlin reclaimed the lead before Byron’s puncture triggered overtime, setting up a nail-biting finish.

On fresher tyres, Larson surged through the pack, taking third place at the flag and the title. In doing so, he became the first driver to win the Cup in the current format without leading a single lap, marking a unique and hard-fought triumph that showcased his endurance and racing intelligence under pressure.

Dutch F1 pundit Robert Doornbos has questioned the working relationship between Lewis Hamilton and his Ferrari race engineer, Riccardo Adami, following the Briton’s penalty for his clash with Max Verstappen in Mexico.

Doornbos described their communication as “disconnected,” suggesting Hamilton’s frustration and Adami’s flat responses reflected a lack of synergy crucial for elite performance.

“They’re not switched on to each other,” Doornbos said, noting that Hamilton’s defensive explanations during radio exchanges hinted at deeper issues in coordination.

He added that such misalignment could cost Ferrari valuable points and podiums if not addressed. For a team aiming to return to championship contention, the pundit argued, every exchange between driver and engineer must be sharp, instinctive, and united, something Hamilton and Adami appear to be missing right now.

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