Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz has claimed victory of the Mexican Grand Prix ahead of McLaren’s Lando Norris and teammate Charles Leclerc, who completed the podium.
Sainz had the better start off the grid, but was quickly menaced by the Red Bull of Max Verstappen. Going into Turn 1, the Ferrari went wide as the number 33 already had the lead over him. The Spaniard gained an advantage through the grass but quickly gave the position back.
At the same time, behind them, Yuki Tsunoda and Alexander Albon made contact. The Japanese driver lost a rear wheel and crashed into the wall while spinning around. He ended up outside the track at Turn 1, obviously out of the Grand Prix, as well as the Williams. The Safety Car was out as the race officials began recovery operations.
Another impressive start was that of Sergio Perez. The Mexican gained five positions at the start of the GP – two of them being Albon and Tsunoda, of course. However, he was later given a five-second penalty, as cameras showed he unfortunately had a false start.
The SC was in and racing resumed on lap 7, with Sainz chasing Verstappen for the lead.
At the back, Charles Leclerc charged Lando Norris for third, as the duo of Lewis Hamilton and George Russell looked to get into the fight from 5th and 6th respectively.
Things were heated at the top. On lap 9, Sainz, taking advantage of DRS, made a lunge on Verstappen through the inside at Turn 1, re-claiming P1. Then, a few corners later, Norris wanted in on the action and attempted a move on the Red Bull.
They both almost crashed into Sainz from the back. Verstappen fiercely defended the position and forced Norris off the track, who had to slow down as he had unwillingly overtaken the leading Ferrari.
The fight continued, as Norris once again attempted a move on Verstappen at Turn 8. The Red Bull didn’t allow it, but this time they both went wide, which allowed Leclerc through. It was a 1-2 for Ferrari.
Come lap 14 and the Stewards awarded Verstappen a 10-second time penalty for forcing Norris off the track.
Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso retired on lap 16 on his box. An unfortunate 400th Grand Prix for the Spaniard, whose brakes were overheating.
Surprisingly, on lap 21, Verstappen was awarded another 10-second penalty for his drama with Norris at Turn 8, totaling 20 seconds in penalties.
Perez was the first to pit a lap later. The Mexican served his 5-second penalty and returned to the track last, on P16. He pitted from 11th. His teammate did so on lap 27 – a 43-second pit stop as he served his 20 seconds of outstanding penalties. He went out on P15, just ahead of the Mexican.
Back at the front, second-placed Leclerc pitted on lap 33 and preserved his spot, as the gap of P3 was more than 30 seconds. Teammate Sainz followed a lap later, and kept P1. Both were placed on the hard compound tires.
The stops continued, and by lap 41 most of the grid had gone in. It was a Ferrari 1-2 at the top. Norris maintained his P3, followed by both Mercedes behind. Verstappen had had an impressive recovery so far and placed 6th.
Rookie Franco Colapinto reported steering problems, in what he described as the steering wheel switching between “stiff and soft.” He was 8th, and was yet to pit.
Russell reported “small rain drops” on lap 43. Verstappen also told his GP that it was “getting really dark,” and that he had grip issues.
On lap 62, through the final corners, Leclerc had a huge moment when he lost the rear of his car. He managed to keep it on track after going wide, but lost his P2 spot to Norris, who closely followed behind.
In the end, it was Sainz who claimed the win of the race, with Norris and Leclerc on the following spots.
Hamilton and Russell followed, with Verstappen in 6th chased, surprisingly, by the Haas of Magnussen.