In a spectacular display of dominance, Max Verstappen claimed his 16th victory of the 2024 Formula 1 season at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, delivering another masterclass for Red Bull Racing. The Dutch driver led from start to finish, but the real drama unfolded behind him as McLaren teammates engaged in a thrilling battle that captivated the Mexican crowd.
McLaren's Thrilling Intra-Team Battle
The highlight of the race proved to be the fierce contest between Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, with the British driver eventually securing second place after an intense fight with his Australian teammate. The duo provided some of the most exciting wheel-to-wheel racing seen this season, demonstrating McLaren's remarkable resurgence in the championship.
"The battle with Oscar was incredibly tough but fair," Norris commented after the race. "We pushed each other to the absolute limit, and it's fantastic for the team to have both cars on the podium."
Mercedes' Mexican Struggles Continue
While McLaren celebrated their double podium success, Mercedes endured another difficult weekend in Mexico City. Both Lewis Hamilton and George Russell failed to challenge the front-runners, with the Silver Arrows appearing to lack the pace needed to compete at the sharp end of the grid.
The team's performance gap to Red Bull and McLaren raises serious questions about their development direction as the season approaches its conclusion.
Ferrari's Mixed Fortunes
Charles Leclerc managed to secure valuable points for Ferrari with a solid drive to fifth position, but teammate Carlos Sainz struggled with tyre degradation and could only manage eighth place. The Scuderia will be looking to regroup ahead of the final races of the season as they battle to maintain their constructor championship position.
What This Means for the Championship
With Verstappen's victory further extending his already unassailable lead in the drivers' championship, attention now turns to the battle for second place in the constructors' championship. McLaren's strong performance has tightened the competition, setting up an intriguing finale to the 2024 season.
The Formula 1 circus now moves to São Paulo for the Brazilian Grand Prix, where teams will be looking to build on their Mexican performances or address the shortcomings that hampered their progress.
