Max Verstappen seeking more Mexico success to end winless run

MEXICO CITY – After scrapping to a hard-fought podium ahead of title rival Lando Norris last weekend, Max Verstappen will seek to end a nine-race winless run on a favourite circuit at the Mexico Grand Prix on Oct 27.

Red Bull’s series leader beat McLaren’s Norris into third for the first time in five outings, albeit with the aid of some controversial stewards’ decisions in Texas, to extend his lead to 57 points with five rounds of the 24-race Formula One championship remaining.

If that was not sufficient encouragement for him and Red Bull, who enjoyed an upswing in form as Ferrari dominated with a commanding one-two finish at the United States Grand Prix in Austin, Verstappen’s impressive and breathless Mexican record should be.

The Dutchman has reeled off five wins from his last six visits to the high-altitude (more than 2,200m above sea level) Autodromo Hermano Rodriguez and is the only current driver, apart from seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes (twice) to have won in the capital city.

“We made good steps in Austin and I saw some promising improvement with the car,” said Verstappen. “Historically, we have always gone well here too and I always enjoy driving at this track.

“So now it is about keeping the momentum going forward and for us to continue picking up points.”

For Norris, it represents another critical opportunity to dent the champion’s progress – reversing the outcome of last week’s tussle in which, he admitted, he “drove like a muppet” and suffered a “momentum killer”.

A wider view, among many paddock observers, suggests that not only do McLaren lack the experience and killer instincts of Red Bull, but that they lack a cool head for decisions in the heat of a contentious incident.

Team boss Andrea Stella criticised the Austin stewards, but missed a chance to tell Norris to give his place back, after running off circuit, and to attack again.

“The next circuit should be a bit more suitable for our car,” he said, adding that McLaren will have more upgrades this weekend with the focus on protecting their 40-point lead over Red Bull in the constructors’ championship.

In that context, this weekend will be important for both teams’ second drivers Oscar Piastri and home hero Sergio Perez, whose future has been a subject of speculation since he was awarded a contract extension in May.

“I just have to shut out the noise and concentrate on my job and try to take a podium finish for myself, the team and the fans,” said Red Bull’s Perez, who has scored only 150 points to Verstappen’s 354.

“Ultimately the special thing for me would be to deliver another podium for my fans and my country, at home.”

Ferrari will also fancy their chances again on a track where last season they locked out the front row of the grid, with last weekend’s victor Charles Leclerc on pole. Another successful race could see them overtake Red Bull.

After a rare debacle in Texas, Hamilton will want to bounce back from his early exit, with Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff hoping to see their capricious car challenging again.

“After a difficult weekend in Austin, we have the opportunity to bounce back immediately,” said Wolff.

“Our performance in Texas showed that there is inherent performance in the car. Our challenge is extracting this consistently.”

Hamilton’s successor next season, Italian teenager Kimi Antonelli, is set to take his car on Oct 25 morning in first free practice, with the team crossing their fingers that it will be returned undamaged.

By contrast, Fernando Alonso, aged 43, reaches another career landmark with his record 400th Grand Prix entry. Of his previous 399, he has started 396. AFP, REUTERS