Red Bull achieves another double podium this year. Max Verstappen won pole and then proceeded to win his 14th race of the season. The Mexican Grand Prix wasn’t much of a challenge for him. Once past turn one, he started to pull away, though Lewis Hamilton kept it close for about 20 laps. After he pitted in lap 26, he came out third right behind both Mercedes drivers. Once Lewis Hamilton and George Russell pitted, he was back in front and never looked back. He finished with a 14 second lead on Hamilton.
Hamilton and Verstappen commented on the tire strategy at the end of the race. Red Bull started with the softs and Mercedes started with the mediums. Red Bull pitted first and went to mediums and then Mercedes pitted and moved to the hard tires. Red Bull ran a risk but trusted that they could make it to just under halfway thru the race on the fastest tires available to them. Their gamble paid off.
Verstappen’s Greatness
Max Verstappen made history today with his 14th victory in season. He is the first driver to win 14 races in a season. He also has earned the most drivers’ points ever in a season. This season was in the bag two races ago, however Max Verstappen continues to build on his legacy. At 25 years of age, we all wonder what is next for the young phenom. Will he keep it up next year? Or will he become complacent? Based on how he deals with the team and others, I think he will continue to press for as long as he can. He won’t become complacent.
Checo!
Sergio Perez podiums in his home country for the second year in a row. At the beginning of the race Perez started fourth. As they made their way thru the first series of turns, Checo passed up George Russell. After his pit during lap 24 he came out ninth and had to work his way up to the top three. It was an excellent drive for Perez.
Best of the Rest
In other notes, Mercedes continues to close on Ferrari for second place in the Constructors championship. Only 40 points separate the two teams. Lewis Hamilton achieved his 190th podium continuing to build on his record. Finally, Daniel Ricciardo achieved the most overtakes in this week’s Grand Prix. He won driver of the day. For now, we off to Brazil. See you there next month!
