Race Analysis - Sainz triumphs in Mexico, Verstappen penalized

Carlos Sainz stormed to victory at the 2024 Mexico City Grand Prix in a thrilling race filled with dramatic incidents and tactical battles. The Ferrari driver recovered from a tricky start, where he lost the lead to Max Verstappen, to secure his fourth Formula 1 victory, defeating Lando Norris and his teammate Charles Leclerc in the process.

The event was shaped not only by Sainz's stellar performance but also by Verstappen's aggressive tactics, which landed the Dutchman two significant penalties. These penalties altered the dynamics of the race, allowing Norris and Leclerc to benefit from Verstappen's struggles. Sainz, however, stayed calm and composed, taking full advantage of the situation.

A Dramatic Start

As the lights went out at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, Verstappen made a powerful launch off the line, passing Sainz for the lead into the first corner. The Dutchman, as always, was aggressive in his bid to control the race from the front. Sainz, realizing the importance of clean air for his Ferrari's cooling system, tried to retake the position by cutting across the grass but quickly handed the lead back to avoid a penalty.

Behind them, chaos ensued when Yuki Tsunoda and Alex Albon collided at the first corner, forcing both drivers out of the race. This brought out the Safety Car as marshals worked to clear the debris from the track.

The restart saw Verstappen once again maintain his lead, but Sainz was hot on his heels, eager to regain the position. For several laps, Sainz pressured Verstappen, keeping within striking distance and forcing the Red Bull driver to use up valuable battery power defending his lead.

Sainz Takes Charge

On Lap 9, Sainz finally made his move. With the help of DRS, he dived down the inside of Verstappen into Turn 1 and seized the lead. Verstappen attempted to fight back, but his defensive strategy would soon cause him bigger problems as Lando Norris entered the fray.

Norris, who had been following closely behind in third, saw his chance to attack Verstappen. In a heated battle, Norris attempted to overtake Verstappen at Turn 4, only to be forced wide by the defending champion. Both cars went off track, allowing Leclerc to sneak through into second place. The stewards quickly intervened, awarding Verstappen a 10-second penalty for forcing Norris off the track.

But Verstappen's troubles weren't over. Just a few laps later, he left the track while overtaking Norris again, prompting the stewards to hand him a second 10-second penalty for gaining an advantage off track. The penalties meant that Verstappen's race was now compromised, and he would later have to serve a 20-second stop at his pit stop.

Ferrari Controls the Race

With Verstappen's penalties dropping him down the order, Ferrari found themselves in a strong position. Sainz, now leading comfortably, and Leclerc, running in second, were able to control the pace of the race. Norris, however, was not giving up. The McLaren driver, determined to keep his title hopes alive, began closing the gap to Leclerc.

As the race wore on, Ferrari instructed Sainz to manage his tires and cooling, knowing that any overheating issues could ruin their strong position. Leclerc, who was struggling with tire management and cooling concerns, had to lift and coast for long stretches, allowing Norris to close in rapidly.

By Lap 60, Norris was within striking distance of Leclerc. The Monegasque driver made a rare mistake, running wide at the final corner, allowing Norris to power through into second place. With just a few laps remaining, Norris set his sights on Sainz, but the gap was too large to close in time.

Verstappen's Recovery and Mercedes Duel

While the Ferrari and McLaren drivers fought at the front, Verstappen found himself fighting his way back through the field. After serving his 20-second penalty during his pit stop, he rejoined the race in 15th place, determined to salvage whatever points he could.

Meanwhile, Mercedes teammates Lewis Hamilton and George Russell were locked in a close battle for fourth place. Russell had held the position for much of the race, but Hamilton, showing better tire management in the final stint, began to close in on his teammate. With just a few laps to go, Hamilton made his move, passing Russell to secure fourth.

Verstappen's recovery drive brought him back up to sixth, but it was little consolation on a day where Red Bull was clearly outpaced by Ferrari and McLaren. Despite his penalties, Verstappen's damage limitation kept him within the top ten, but the race was a clear reminder of Red Bull's vulnerability when they aren't the fastest team on the grid.

Sainz Celebrates, Norris Reflects

As the chequered flag fell, Sainz crossed the line to take an emotional victory, his first of the season and his fourth career win in Formula 1. The Spaniard was ecstatic, celebrating with his team and the Mexican crowd that had supported him throughout the weekend.

"Gracias Mexico!" Sainz shouted over the team radio. "This one means a lot to me. I've wanted this win all season, and to do it here in front of these amazing fans is incredible."

Norris, though disappointed not to have won, was proud of his performance, particularly after a challenging first stint. He acknowledged the difficulty of racing against Verstappen, who he described as willing to do whatever it took to defend his position.

"It wasn't the cleanest battle," Norris said. "But I'm happy with second today. It's a good result for the team, and we're still in the fight."

Leclerc finished third, securing valuable points for Ferrari in their pursuit of the constructors' championship. He also claimed the fastest lap point after a late pit stop for fresh tires, adding a small bonus to his day.

Final Standings and Looking Ahead

Behind the podium finishers, Hamilton secured fourth ahead of Russell, while Verstappen finished a frustrating sixth. Kevin Magnussen and Nico Hulkenberg scored vital points for Haas, finishing seventh and ninth, respectively. Oscar Piastri, who had started 17th, recovered to finish eighth, while Pierre Gasly rounded out the top ten for Alpine.

As the teams prepare for the next race in Brazil, Ferrari's victory has reinvigorated their season, with Sainz now eyeing further wins in the remaining races. The battle for the constructors' championship is heating up, as Ferrari aims to challenge McLaren and Red Bull for supremacy.

For Verstappen and Norris, the title fight continues, with every point now crucial as the season nears its conclusion. Both drivers will head to Brazil determined to make their mark in what is shaping up to be a thrilling end to the 2024 season.