2023 recap: Heartbreak for home hero Perez in Mexico as Verstappen wins
F1 News
The Mexican Grand Prix is right around the corner, so it's the perfect time to look back at what happened last year at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez. Max Verstappen won yet another race comfortably, as his teammate Sergio Perez had to retire after he suffered heavy damage in a lap one incident. The clash sent his RB19 flying into the air in front of his adoring home fans. Here's everything you need to know about last year's event in Mexico City.
Formula 1 couldn't be any more different at this point in 2024 than it was last year. Max Verstappen still leads the driver's championship, but that's where the similarities end. McLaren, with 544 points, leads the constructors by 40 points. Red Bull are no longer the hunted and sit 40 points behind McLaren. Ferrari is just 8 points behind Red Bull in what has well and truly become a three-way battle for the championship. Seven drivers have won a race this year. The only driver from the top four teams not to win a race is Sergio Perez, who suffered from heartbreak in the 2023 race.
Race rundown: Verstappen wins, and Perez crashes out
Max Verstappen delivered a masterclass and clinched his 16th victory of the season. The Dutchman broke his own record for the most wins in a single year. He was joined on the podium by Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari's Charles Leclerc.
The race kicked off with drama as Verstappen, starting from third, stormed past the Ferraris of Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz in an attempt to take the lead by turn one An early collision between Sergio Perez and Leclerc on the opening lap killed Mexican fans' hopes. Pérez, attempting a move around the outside, made contact with Leclerc, which caused him to retire from the race. He limped back around to the pits with suspension damage. The home crowd’s disappointment was clear, as the home hero had the worst possible Mexican Grand Prix.
After a slight lull, the race was woken up on lap 34 when Kevin Magnussen crashed in sector two. The Dane had suffered from a rear suspension failure, which sent him flying into the wall. A fire started, but it was soon put out by the marshals. The incident caused a red flag due to damage to the barriers. This reset the field and provided drivers with an opportunity to strap on fresh tyres for the restart. Verstappen managed to retain his lead despite challenges from Lewis Hamilton, who had shown good pace throughout the weekend. The seven-time champion finished second, showcasing Mercedes' improving form at the time, whilst Leclerc recovered to take third, rounding off the podium despite his earlier incident.
Norris and Ricciardo impress:
Further back, the battle for points was intense. McLaren's Lando Norris delivered a spectacular comeback, climbing from 17th to 5th. Daniel Ricciardo, back with AlphaTauri, finished a solid 7th, marking his best result since returning from a broken wrist suffered in a crash at the Dutch Grand Prix.
Ultimately, the Mexican GP was Verstappen's Grand Prix to dominate. The Dutchman extended his championship lead. Hamilton's performance hinted at Mercedes’ readiness to challenge Red Bull in future races. The home hero Perez, unfortunately, couldn’t deliver the result his fans craved.
This year's Mexican Grand Prix will take place on October 27. Sergio Perez will be hoping for a better result at his favourite race of the year, and the top three teams are destined to be battling away for victory. Every point matters in the closing stages of this incredible Formula 1 season.
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