Carlos Sainz claimed another win and his first in Mexico city, after an exciting Grand Prix with battle galore.
Its Lights Out and Away We Go…
In the humid Mexico City, lights went out and the battle for track position was on. Max Verstappen the Dutch Lion was able to get ahead after having the better start. He was under pressure from the Spaniard of Carlos Sainz but edged wide, in which the Ferrari driver cut the corner and inevitably gave the position back to Verstappen.
Debris scattered all over the track as Yuki Tsunoda got caught up in the race to turn one, hitting the Williams driver of Alex Albon as well. His car spun and even lost a wheel meaning his race was already over. Despite having a great qualifying starting P9 Albon also had to retire the car early on.
The Safety car came onto the track to clear the aftermath of the crash but during this Sergio Perez the man weekend earned himself a penalty for a false start. The Mexican managed to avoid the chaos in the middle of the pack and gained five places to 13th. But he was lined up well past his pit box, which gave him the five second penalty.
Verstappen v Norris
Verstappen was eager to hold onto first place after the safety car ended but the Ferrari car was quick and flew past the Red Bull. Verstappen showed anger blaming the car over the radio and was swiftly under attack from the McLaren of Lando Norris.
The infamous two battled it out with Norris attempting to overtake Verstappen at turn four. After cutting corner Norris attempted to give the position back but wheel to wheel racing saw both go off track. This was when Leclerc saw his chance to fly past them both.
The British driver slammed Verstappen over the radio saying he was “Dangerous”. The battle saw Lando have the corner and Verstappen lately break and ran them both off track, which lead to the stewards decision to give Verstappen a 10 second penalty for “forcing a driver off track”.
Thats it for Alonso but the Mercedes duo fight for position
Lap 16 saw Fernando Alonso end his 400th race early and his first DNF of the season. Something got caught up in his engine and a retirement from the race meant no more racing in Mexico for the Spaniard.
Meanwhile, Russell and Hamilton the british duo were fighting between positions but Russell overtook, with Hamilton lacking pace this weekend. The two Ferraris remained in the front and dominated the. first stint of the race.
Perez wants his spotlight
Hometown hero Sergio Perez battled it out with Liam Lawson – The two men said to be in contention for the 2025 Red Bull seat. Perez attempted an overtake at turn four but the Aussie was having none of it and the pair tangled on the exit which took bits of aero off the Red bull.
Penalty Penalty Penalty…
Verstappens prior penalty of ten seconds remained but another 10 second penalty was given for the incident earlier on with Lando Norris. The first one was for their battle at turn eight, but the stewards looked at their battle closer and their turn four incident meant another penalty.
Battles galore in Mexico
Many drivers had their fair share of battles through the middle section of the race in Mexico. Including Oscar Piastri and Lewis Hamilton and their double overtake on Liam Lawson on lap 34.
Lewis Hamilton and George Russell were given team orders to race it out and so they did. Despite a front wing issue, Russell had fresher tyres and was and stayed ahead of his teammate. Hamilton saw a few opening over the laps particularly that turn four but Russel defended and kept position.
Lando Norris was in third behind the two Ferrari in the last twenty laps of the race. He set fastest laps and closed the gap quickly between him and the Monegasque. He had DRS with just under 10 laps to go but a mistake from Leclerc on exit from the final corner saw the overtake become easier than expected. Leclerc was lucky not to go into the wall and got the car back on track but with the cost of second place.
The Final few laps
Franco Colapinto made contact with Liam Lawson causing front wing damage for the RB driver and he was forced to pit. Colapinto was on the outside at turn one and had the inside of turn two but the Aussie “had nowhere to go”.
Leclerc and Perez both pitted to try and get the fastest lap, but it was awarded to Charle Leclerc and Ferrari have that extra point for the the all important instructors championship.
Carlos Sainz wins in Mexico City
A first time win in Mexico city for the Spaniard as he crossed the line and Ferrari won for the second weekend in a row. Lando Norris held claimed P2 with Leclerc P3 and fastest lap.
Lewis Hamilton and George Russell lock out P4 and P5, with Max Verstappen in P6. Kevin Magnussen and Nico Hulkenburg are both in the top 10 with P7 and P9 respectively and Oscar Piastri is sandwiched in P8. Pierre Gasly rounded out the top ten.
Now we look to Brazil.