World champion Max Verstappen drew degree with Alain Prost on 51 Formula One victories on Sunday when he claimed his document sixteenth triumph of the season at the Mexican Grand Prix.
Starting from third on the grid, the Red Bull driver stole the lead at the beginning after which dominated the race, which was punctuated by a prolonged pink flag stoppage when Kevin Magnussen crashed closely in his Haas.
The 26-12 months-previous Dutchman got here residence 13.875 seconds forward of a revitalised Lewis Hamilton, who began sixth, with pole-sitter Charles Leclerc taking third place forward of his Ferrari crew-mate Carlos Sainz.
Lando Norris completed an excellent fifth for McLaren after an enthralling drive by means of the sphere from seventeenth on the grid, forward of George Russell within the second Mercedes.
It was Verstappen’s fifth win in Mexico and his document-equalling 18th podium end this 12 months whereas the luckless Leclerc, who collided with Sergio Perez’s Red Bull at the primary nook, endured his eleventh successive failure to convert pole right into a victory.
Perez spun off, recovered and retired, a lot to the frustration of his residence Mexican followers in a giant crowd at the excessive-altitude Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez.
“It is just incredible,” mentioned Verstappen. “To win from P3, is just amazing. I started P3 and the car was really great. It was a very strong race and now I don’t know -– more wins, maybe 17 or 18!”
Hamilton, who was disqualified after ending second within the United States every week earlier, mentioned: “I feel fresh. I was pushing, but not crazy hard. It is a great result, considering we started sixth. This is a great result for us in a difficult few weeks.”
Leclerc observed “a lot of booing” from the gang and defined his half in Perez’s exit.
“I had nowhere to go. I was between the two Red Bulls. Checo damaged my car and it ended his race. It was not on purpose.”
Daniel Ricciardo completed a creditable seventh for Alpha Tauri forward of Oscar Piastri within the second McLaren, Williams’ Alex Albon and Esteban Ocon of Alpine.
Verstappen’s quick begin
Verstappen made a sensational begin, powering between the Ferraris to take the within line after the 800-metre rush from Turn One.
Sensing an opportunity, Perez went three abreast with Verstappen and Leclerc, however clipped the Ferrari’s entrance wing and bounced off.
To loud groans, he rejoined, limped to the pits and retired, beating his steering wheel in frustration whereas Leclerc continued with a flapping entrance wing which quickly fell off.
The stewards famous he was driving in an “unsafe condition” and determined to examine after the race.
“I went for it,” mentioned Perez, accepting the blame. “There wasn’t room for three cars. In hindsight, I should have backed off, but it’s my home race.”
By lap 20, Verstappen led by 4.6 seconds earlier than pitting for hards, handing the lead to Leclerc.
He rejoined seventh behind Russell and swiftly rose to fifth as his rivals pitted earlier than Kevin Magnussen crashed closely at Turn Nine to immediate a security automotive.
The Dane escaped, apparently unharmed, however his blazing Haas was wrecked, as Verstappen led a cost for affordable pit-stops and retained his lead earlier than the race was pink-flagged.
After a 20-minute interlude to clear the particles, the race resumed with a standing begin, which Verstappen, on hards, nailed forward of Leclerc as Hamilton on mediums seemed for a niche.
It appeared on lap 40, when he dived contained in the Monegasque at Turn One in classic model to take second.
“It’s going to be a tough stint,” mentioned Hamilton, assessing his possibilities as Verstappen pulled 4 seconds clear and constructed an opulent cushion.
Behind them, a number of entertaining scraps and a blinding drive by Norris thrilled the gang, the McLaren driver charging by means of the sphere.
(This story has not been edited by News18 employees and is printed from a syndicated information company feed – AFP)
