RACE REPORT | F1 Mexico 2023

Despite a delay of almost half an hour, Max Verstappen scored another victory in the Mexican Grand Prix and further consolidated his dominance in Formula 1. This victory marked his 16th triumph in 18 races this season. Despite a significant interruption due to a red flag incident on lap 35, Verstappen showed exceptional control and skill throughout the race.

In this action-packed race, the reigning world champion initially started from third place. However, he quickly maneuvered around the Ferraris of Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz on the front row and took the lead as soon as the race started. Verstappen's early lead set the tone for an unforgettable Grand Prix. The race took an unexpected turn when Kevin Magnussen's Haas car suffered a pile-up on lap 34, which prompted a red flag as the track's barriers needed to be repaired. This lengthy interruption did not deter Verstappen, who maintained his composure and focus from the standing restart. He never relinquished his lead and secured an impressive 16th win of the season, a remarkable achievement.

Unfortunately, the same could not be said for Verstappen's Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez. Perez's race came to an abrupt end when he collided with Leclerc while attempting to overtake from the outside. The collision caused significant damage to Perez's car and forced him to retire early. While Verstappen continued to dominate, Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton continued to apply pressure. Hamilton managed to pass Leclerc in the pits as Mercedes opted for an earlier pit stop strategy, while Ferrari decided to delay their pit stop by six laps. This set the scene for an exciting strategic battle between the two teams.

However, their strategy was thwarted by the arrival of the safety car and another red flag on lap 34. A dramatic suspension failure in Magnussen's Haas car caused a spectacular mid-air incident and necessitated extensive repairs to the track's crash barriers. When the race resumed, Verstappen maintained his lead while Hamilton, after relentless pursuit, managed to secure second place by overtaking Leclerc on lap 40. Hamilton, who was holding firm in second, pushed on. Leclerc had to settle for third place, unable to challenge the leading duo but with a comfortable lead over the rest of the pack.

Carlos Sainz finished fourth, followed by a remarkable performance from Lando Norris, who climbed from 17th on the grid to fifth. George Russell held on to sixth place as he faced determined competition from Daniel Ricciardo. Oscar Piastri secured eighth place, Alex Albon ninth and Esteban Ocon took the final points position in tenth. This Mexican Grand Prix was a thrilling race full of drama and exceptional driving performances, cementing Max Verstappen's position as the dominant force in Formula One.