Max Verstappen converted the lead at the Formula 1 Mexico City Grand Prix, despite a race interrupted by reliability problems, a heavy crash and repeated safety-car periods. Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton fought fiercely but both missed Turn 4, while Verstappen stayed ahead after the pit stops and ultimately held the lead to the finish.
Credit: YURI CORTEZ / AFP
Verstappen was unable to keep up with Leclerc initially. However, when Verstappen stopped at the same time as Leclerc, he emerged in the lead and maintained that position until the end.
Reliability problems disrupt the race
Reaching the checkered flag was not easy for everyone. Lance Stroll’s Aston Martin frequently breaks down on track, triggering a safety car or virtual safety car, and this race was no exception. The problem occurred early on lap seven, when the other Aston Martin, driven by Fernando Alonso, retired to the garage.
Cadillac has also suffered several reliability problems this year, usually involving overheating front brakes. In Mexico, the issue was more serious. On lap 44, as Valtteri Bottas approached Turn 1, his car’s left-front suspension failed. The resulting heavy crash brought out a red flag so officials could repair the barrier, stopping the race and forcing a standing restart.
Verstappen retained the lead and showed that the Red Bull power unit produced more output than Ferrari’s even at the circuit’s high altitude. An angry Hamilton overtook Leclerc, but Leclerc compounded his earlier mistake by locking up his front tire badly and wearing the resulting flat spot down to the cord.
The safety car returned on lap 59, and Oscar Piastri in a McLaren passed Arvid Lindblad’s Racing Bull.
Hamilton moved into second place, just a few tenths of a second behind Verstappen, but he was not fast enough to attempt a pass. Ferrari may not have had enough pace to overtake Red Bull, but its ability to handle the curbs and the punch of its small turbocharger out of slow corners gave it an advantage over Lando Norris’ McLaren. Norris, the 2025 champion, finished fifth behind Leclerc.
After the race, Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur said: “I always expect everyone to show respect to the brand, to the team, to our partners and above all to our 2,000 employees who work in our home country. He has put an incredible amount of effort into his job, working day and night in the factory to improve the car and bring upgrades to the truck, which is why losing out on a win like this is unacceptable.”
Source: arstechnica.com
