Sergio Perez’s Race Ends in Disaster Right at the Starting Line
Max Verstappen of Red Bull Racing claimed an emphatic victory at the Mexico City Grand Prix, shattering his personal best for most wins in a single F1 season.
With an explosive start that saw him overtake the front-row Ferrari duo, Verstappen’s 16th win of 2023 continues to mark one of the most remarkable seasons in Formula 1 history.
Though he had to deal with a safety car and a red flag, Verstappen seemed almost serene as he took the lead at Turn One and never looked back.
Lewis Hamilton, not one to be left out of the action, climbed from a sixth-place start to outmaneuver Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, capturing one of the other spots on the podium.
Just behind them, Carlos Sainz managed to keep George Russell at bay in another skirmish between Ferrari and Mercedes for fourth place, only for Britain’s Lando Norris to swoop past Russell to snatch fifth place in the closing laps.
Daniel Ricciardo, driving for Alpha Tauri, had to settle for seventh place despite a promising start—his second race since coming back from a hand injury.
Synchronized with Mexico’s Day of the Dead celebrations, the Mexico City Grand Prix proved anything but dead for Verstappen.
Verstappen: Unstoppable Regardless of Hurdles
Verstappen had a rosy outlook on the race even after qualifying third behind Leclerc and Sainz. His optimism wasn’t misplaced as he immediately surged past a lagging Sainz and was hot on the heels of Leclerc within moments.
An ambitious move from Sergio Perez, aiming to squeeze between the Ferraris, backfired catastrophically, ending his race and disappointing his local fans.
Despite these shake-ups, Verstappen remained unflappable, effortlessly distancing himself from the other top drivers, even as Hamilton began to zero in on Sainz.
Hamilton’s strategy to undercut Sainz with an early pit stop might have led to more fireworks, but Kevin Magnussen’s high-speed crash disrupted the anticipated duels.
Verstappen capitalized on this incident with a ‘free’ pit stop for fresh rubber, leaving his competitors in the dust.
How Hamilton Claimed Second
Hamilton, opting for medium tires, quickly posed a threat to Leclerc who was on hards. Eventually, he seized second place, without any real challenge from Leclerc for the remainder of the race.
With only a few races left in the season, Hamilton’s podium finish puts him 20 points behind in the drivers’ championship, adding spice to his rivalry with Perez.
Norris: The Comeback Kid
Starting a dismal 19th on the grid, Lando Norris performed a driving masterclass to end up in fifth place. Employing a blend of soft and hard tires, and finally mediums after the red flag, Norris showcased incredible overtaking maneuvers and strategic play.
Norris was “very” pleased with his performance, particularly as he had to initially pull back to avoid collisions, sacrificing positions. “It was one of my best stints ever, going from 14th to fifth,” he said, revealing just how exhilarating his race was.
Rounding out the top ten were Ricciardo in seventh, Oscar Piastri in eighth, Alex Albon in ninth, and Esteban Ocon capturing the final point for Alpine in tenth place.
Norris summed it up best: “Pace was amazing, very enjoyable, good overtakes, hard racing and good fun.” Indeed, the Mexico City Grand Prix was a spectacle that had everything: speed, strategy, and the kind of drama that only Formula 1 can provide.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Mexico City Grand Prix
Who won the Mexico City Grand Prix?
Max Verstappen of Red Bull Racing emerged as the triumphant winner of the Mexico City Grand Prix. This marked his 16th win in the 2023 Formula 1 season, breaking his own record for the most wins in a single season.
What was notable about Max Verstappen’s win?
Max Verstappen’s victory was set up by a daring pass of the front-row Ferraris right at the start of the race. Despite having to deal with a safety car and a red flag due to Kevin Magnussen’s crash, Verstappen maintained a dominant lead after securing the first position at Turn One.
How did Lewis Hamilton fare in the race?
Lewis Hamilton, starting sixth on the grid, managed to claw his way up to second place. He overtook Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and successfully defended his position to finish on the podium.
Who had an impressive comeback during the race?
Lando Norris showcased an impressive comeback. Despite starting 19th on the grid, Norris executed a series of successful overtakes and strategic plays to finish in fifth place.
What happened to Sergio Perez?
Sergio Perez, a Mexican driver who had high hopes for this home race, crashed at the first corner. This unfortunate event ended his race and led to his retirement from the Grand Prix.
How did Kevin Magnussen’s crash impact the race?
Kevin Magnussen’s high-speed crash brought out a red flag and disrupted the race. His crash allowed Max Verstappen to capitalize with a ‘free’ pit stop, effectively solidifying his lead.
What does this race mean for the drivers’ championship?
The podium finish puts Lewis Hamilton 20 points behind in the drivers’ championship, heating up his rivalry with Sergio Perez for the second spot. Max Verstappen’s win further cements his dominant season.
What other drivers rounded out the top 10?
Aside from Verstappen, Hamilton, and Norris, the top ten included Charles Leclerc in third, Carlos Sainz in fourth, Daniel Ricciardo in seventh, Oscar Piastri in eighth, Alex Albon in ninth, and Esteban Ocon in tenth.
When did the Mexico City Grand Prix take place?
The article does not specify the exact date of the Mexico City Grand Prix, but it does mention that the race coincides with Mexico’s Day of the Dead festival.
Was anyone injured in the race?
Kevin Magnussen crashed at high speed but was reported to be uninjured. The race was red-flagged to repair barriers, but no other injuries were mentioned.
More about Mexico City Grand Prix
- Max Verstappen’s Career Highlights
- Lewis Hamilton’s Formula 1 Journey
- A Closer Look at Lando Norris
- The History of the Mexico City Grand Prix
- Formula 1 2023 Season Overview
- Day of the Dead Festival in Mexico
- The Science Behind F1 Car Safety Measures
- Red Bull Racing Team Profile
- Ferrari’s Formula 1 Legacy
- Mercedes in Formula 1
10 comments
the real winner is the audience, what a race. Between Norris’ comeback and the Verstappen-Leclerc battle, this is why I love F1.
Surprised the article didn’t mention the exact date of the race. Isn’t that like Journalism 101?
Lando Norris, what a race! From 19th to 5th, that’s like a scene outta a movie. He’s the future of F1, mark my words.
lewis still got it, climbing from 6th to 2nd. But the real star is verstappen. The guy is in another league this year.
Wow, Verstappen is just on fire this season! 16 wins? That’s crazy, man.
Red Bull strategy on point. Giving Max that free pit stop after the red flag was genius.
Ricciardo in 7th isn’t bad considering he just came back from a hand injury. Some serious grit there.
Ugh, Leclerc coulda done better. Just didn’t have the pace to catch Verstappen. But hey, podium is podium.
So bummed for Perez, man. Home race and crashes in the first corner? That’s gotta sting.
What was up with Magnussen? Dude just smashed into the barriers. Good that he’s alright tho.