Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz emerged victorious in an intense Mexican Grand Prix on Sunday, breaking Ferrari's long-standing Mexico win drought since 1990. The win came as Max Verstappen of Red Bull, despite a strong start and early lead, struggled with two 10-second penalties that ultimately cost him the race, pushing him down to a sixth-place finish, reported AFP.
The race began with Verstappen leading into Turn 1, but a Safety Car triggered by a first-turn collision between Yuki Tsunoda and Alex Albon saw Verstappen lose ground. As the race resumed, the action intensified, bringing Verstappen into a fierce battle with McLaren’s Lando Norris, continuing their rivalry from last week’s US Grand Prix.The tussle between Verstappen and Norris hit its peak as Norris cut a corner to avoid a clash, but Verstappen responded aggressively, forcing both cars off track.
This aggressive driving earned Verstappen two separate 10-second penalties, ending his hopes for a win as he dropped down the leaderboard. Norris continued strongly, securing second after a late overtake on Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, who lost grip on lap 63.
Ferrari’s strategy paid off as Sainz held a steady lead, despite early pressure from Leclerc. McLaren’s Norris, who had steadily advanced, couldn’t close the gap on Sainz despite a final push, and had to settle for second. The two McLaren drivers’ strong finishes kept the championship race alive, closing Norris's points gap on Verstappen by ten.
Meanwhile, Sergio Perez’s difficult home race saw him incur a five-second penalty for starting grid misplacement, followed by a collision with Liam Lawson that impacted his car’s performance.Mercedes drivers Lewis Hamilton and George Russell secured fourth and fifth places, showing resilience but lacking pace against the front-runners. Kevin Magnussen of Haas managed a solid seventh, while Oscar Piastri of McLaren took eighth after a strategic misstep on medium tyres prevented a higher finish.
Alpine’s Pierre Gasly rounded out the points, with Fernando Alonso retiring early due to technical issues.Sainz’s win, celebrated with an enthusiastic Mexican crowd, marks a significant triumph before his upcoming move to Williams next season.
Sainz shared his joy, saying, “I wanted one more win with Ferrari, and to do it here with this crowd is unforgettable.”Ferrari’s victory adds valuable points, allowing them to overtake Red Bull in the constructors’ standings, reinforcing the brand’s comeback amid a fiercely contested season. With four races left, the intense competition underscores the thrilling close to an eventful Formula 1 season.(Inputs from AFP).
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