Before the Mexican Grand Prix weekend, Lewis Hamilton said Mercedes had "no hope" against Ferrari on the long main straight.
But it was Sebastian Vettel that had no chance in the race simply because Hamilton would not let him get close enough during a gripping final third of the GP. Despite concerns about the tyre life and floor damage sustained on the opening lap, Hamilton was in complete control.
This was a weekend of fine margins, a race in which any one of the drivers from the big three teams might legitimately claim to have been a serious victory threat.