Let’s look back at the 2024 Mexican Grand Prix — won by Carlos Sainz ahead of Lando Norris and Charles Leclerc.
At the start, Carlos Sainz lined up alongside the four-time world champion, who got the better launch and snatched the lead into Turn 1, while the Spaniard was forced wide and cut across the corner before rejoining just behind the RB20.
Behind them, Lando Norris slotted into third place, closely followed by Charles Leclerc. On lap 9, Sainz launched a bold move into Turn 1 to reclaim the lead he had lost off the line, while Verstappen suddenly found himself under pressure from Norris.
That moment set up the race’s biggest flashpoint: on lap 10, Norris tried an ambitious move around the outside of Turn 3, only to be pushed off the track — not just there but again two corners later. The Dutchman was later handed a 10-second time penalty for leaving the track and gaining an advantage.
Behind them, both Mercedes drivers, along with Lawson and Pérez, were embroiled in a fierce midfield fight, while Verstappen, having served his penalty during the pit stop, rejoined the race in sixth place.
On lap 63, Norris capitalised on a mistake from Leclerc after piling on the pressure, snatching second place and setting off in pursuit of Sainz with eight laps to go. However, the Spaniard managed the gap perfectly all the way to the finish, sealing what remains to this day his most recent Formula 1 victory — both personally and for Ferrari.
After another dominant win for Max Verstappen in Austin, Formula 1 heads straight to Mexico for the 20th round of a season that’s shaping up to be one of the most thrilling title fights in years.
The Dutchman now finds himself much closer to the two McLarens than before, and the dream of a fifth consecutive world championship no longer feels out of reach. Here’s the full schedule for the Mexican weekend.
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