a record Max Verstappen takes his 16th victory of the season at the Mexican Grand Prix

Max Verstappen continues his harvest. The three-time world champion won his 16th Grand Prix of the season out of 19 contested, a record, on Sunday October 29 in Mexico. Third on the starting grid, the Dutchman completed another almost perfect race and remains without competition. He equals Alain Prost with 51 career Grand Prix wins. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) and Charles Leclerc (Ferrari), disqualified last week in Austin, complete the podium.

Author of a great start, Max Verstappen dried the Ferraris to take the lead at the first corner. Under the crushing heat, he knew how to manage his strength well. Thirty-five laps after his excellent start, he negotiated without trembling the second start following the interruption of the race for a big crash by Kevin Magnussen, before driving alone towards the checkered flag.

Sergio Pérez retires at the first turn

Fallen poleman, Charles Leclerc once again had to bow to his great rival. Overtaken during the first start but remaining in the game, he was unable to threaten during the second and even gave in to the Mercedes of Lewis Hamilton, faster on medium tires, in the second part of the race. He still won his fourth podium this season.

Max Verstappen shone, but on the other side of the Red Bull garage, the glitter gave way to disillusionment. In delicacy for months, Sergio Pérez was undoubtedly waiting to show himself and enjoy in front of his audience. But the Mexican’s race didn’t even last one turn. No doubt a little too galvanized by his good start, he crashed into Charles Leclerc’s Ferrari at the first corner and found himself in the gravel, forced to retire. On the French side, Esteban Ocon grabbed the last point of the race with his 10th place, while Pierre Gasly finished 11th.