Carlos Sainz delivered a stunning performance to win the 2024 Mexico City Grand Prix race filled with drama and controversy which saw Max Verstappen suffer a 20s time penalty for running Lando Norris off-track.
The event at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez not only showcased the Spaniard’s driving prowess but also highlighted the ongoing championship battle between Verstappen and Norris.
As the dust settled on a thrilling race, the implications for the championship standings became clear, setting the stage for an intense final stretch of the season.
The 2024 Mexico City Grand Prix race weekend began with high anticipation, particularly after Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz secured pole position during qualifying. However, the start of the race saw reigning champion Max Verstappen make a bold move, overtaking the Spaniard on the long run to Turn 1.
The aggressive maneuver initially put Verstappen in control, but it was short-lived after Yuki Tsunoda crashed out on the very first lap triggering a safety car that would set the tone for the early laps.
Once racing resumed on lap six, Sainz quickly regained his composure and reclaimed the lead from Verstappen. The Spaniard executed a well-timed maneuver and from that point on, established a commanding lead, showcasing impressive pace and consistency throughout the race.
As Sainz pulled away at the front, attention shifted to Verstappen and Norris, who were engaged in a close battle for second place. However, the tension escalated on lap 10 when the Red Bull attempted to defend its position against McLaren.
In a controversial move reminiscent of their previous encounters, Verstappen forced Norris off the track at Turn 4. The aggressive driving prompted stewards to issue the reigning world champion a 10-second time penalty for his actions.
Norris’ complaints did not go unheard, as he continued to push for position. Just moments later, Verstappen was involved in another incident at Turn 7, where he again forced the McLaren off track while attempting an overtake.
The second incident resulted in another 10-second penalty for Verstappen, compounding his troubles and effectively derailing his race strategy.
Despite the setbacks, Verstappen continued to fight hard but struggled to regain his earlier pace and ultimately finished in sixth place after serving his penalties during his pit stop. His aggressive tactics had backfired, allowing Norris to capitalize on the situation and narrow the gap in the championship standings.
Lando Norris’ performance was nothing short of remarkable. After initially losing ground due to Verstappen’s maneuvers, Norris managed to recover and focus on closing in on Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, who had moved into second place following Verstappen’s penalties.
On lap 63, Norris successfully overtook Leclerc after a mistake from the Ferrari driver allowed him to slip wide at Turn 1.
The Mexico City Grand Prix race concluded with Carlos Sainz celebrating a well-deserved victory that not only boosted his confidence but also solidified Ferrari’s position in the Constructors’ Championship standings as teammate Charles Leclerc rounded out the podium in third place after an impressive drive.
Norris secured second place and further reduced Verstappen’s lead in the championship standings from 57 points to 47 points. With only four races remaining in the season and a total of 120 points still available, Norris remains firmly in contention for the title.
Mercedes drivers Lewis Hamilton and George Russell also had solid outings, finishing fourth and fifth respectively. While they lacked the pace to challenge for podium positions, their consistent performances helped Mercedes maintain their competitive edge within the midfield.
Haas had a standout day after Kevin Magnussen finished seventh following an impressive drive alongside his teammate Nico Hulkenberg who finished ninth. Oscar Piastri displayed resilience by climbing from 17th on the grid to finish eighth, demonstrating McLaren’s competitive edge despite earlier setbacks.
Alpine’s Pierre Gasly rounded out the points in 10th.
The race was particularly disappointing for Sergio Perez, who faced a nightmare home outing after qualifying poorly and sustaining damage early in the event due to a collision with Liam Lawson. Perez’s struggles highlighted ongoing concerns about his future with Red Bull as he finished last after battling through significant challenges throughout the race.
Yuki Tsunoda’s performance was another disappointment for Red Bull as he crashed twice during the weekend—once in qualifying and again during the race—further compounding Red Bull’s woes at the Mexico City Grand Prix.
2024 Mexico City Grand Prix Race Results
READ MORE: 2024 F1 World Championship standings after Mexico City Grand Prix
