At the end of a very lively Mexican Grand Prix, it was Carlos Sainz who won ahead of Lando Norris and Charles Leclerc. Norris takes points from Verstappen, penalized by 20 seconds and only 6th, in the race for the world championship.
For the second time in seven days, Scuderia Ferrari won. After Charles Leclerc’s victory ahead of Carlos Sainz in Austin, it was the Spaniard who won the Mexican GP ahead of Norris and Leclerc. The fourth career success for the Iberian but the good operation is for the McLaren driver who takes ten points from Max Verstappen, only 6th since his duel with Norris reached a new milestone on Sunday. The Batavian flexed his muscles again against the Briton but this time, he received a twenty-second penalty.
Verstappen, the strongest at the start
However, the Dutchman had started the race ideally. Second on the grid, he took the lead at the first corner against Sainz, although on pole, after an aggressive maneuver of which he has the secret. Behind, following an unfortunate shift by Pierre Gasly, Yuki Tsunoda and Alex Albon collided and ended their race in the wall. The safety car was then deployed.
At the end of lap 6, the race got back on track with a good restart from Verstappen but with the help of DRS, Sainz regained the lead at the start of lap 9. It was then that the Dutchman’s race would change. On lap 10, Norris attacked Verstappen at turn 4. Both finished off the track but the Briton had gained the upper hand. Penalized last week, Norris then let Verstappen pass again who pressed him in turn 8 for another off-track for both cars. Incidents which then allowed Leclerc to take second place and Sainz to escape almost definitively (already).
20 second penalty for Verstappen, Ferraris on parade
Two investigations were then opened against Verstappen and the sanctions would quickly fall. The Batavian received two 10-second penalties. Very heavy. At the end of lap 27, the three-time world champion was the first of the leaders to stop to take his penalty and put on hard tires. An immobilization of more than 28 seconds. An eternity in F1. Obviously, his race was ruined. Coming out 15th, number 1 moved up to 6th place. He somehow saved the furniture at the world championship with these eight points despite his heavy penalty.
Because Norris didn’t win. The Briton finished second after an overtake in the final laps on Leclerc, who almost lost control of his Ferrari and ended his race in the wall. Sainz, in front, was untouchable on the Mexican track since Saturday and qualifying and achieved a deserved success. Before Brazil, Verstappen therefore has a 47-point lead over Norris with only four races and two sprints remaining. The margin is still large.
Perez’s nightmare, Gasly scores a point
Behind, a word about the stage location. Sergio Perez, 17th on the grid, had a nightmare after his failed qualifying. Despite a good start, gaining five places, he was penalized five seconds for poor positioning on the grid. He then damaged his car after contact with Liam Lawson, the man who covets his place with Red Bull for next season, for a pitiful 17th and last place at the finish. His future is getting a little darker in F1. And finally, with his tenth place, Pierre Gasly scores a point for Alpine. The first in two months.
