Max Verstappen said Ferrari’s battle between Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc helped create the opening he needed to win the Mexico City Grand Prix. Starting fifth, the Red Bull driver climbed to third on the opening lap before moving past Leclerc to take second.
Verstappen’s strong start set up his race, while an off-track moment involving Hamilton and Leclerc gave him the chance to gain another position. Leclerc later received a five-second penalty for leaving the circuit and gaining a lasting advantage. Red Bull brought Verstappen in to pit alongside Leclerc, and Verstappen emerged ahead of his penalised rival to take the lead.
He held on to victory, finishing 0.799 seconds ahead of Hamilton. “The first start was good – that, of course, already made my race,” Verstappen said. He credited Red Bull’s strategy and said Ferrari had made things difficult for themselves by fighting each other.
Hamilton pressed Verstappen after both restarts, but could not find a way past. Verstappen said the pressure continued until the finish, leaving little room for error. The win put him two points ahead of Hamilton in the Drivers’ Championship standings.
Verstappen described the circuit as slippery and difficult to master, but said he was pleased to leave with a win. He added that the team would keep learning from its strengths and weaknesses and apply those lessons next year.
Sources: Formula 1.