October 30, 2023
Verstappen’s 16th Win Equals Alain Prost’s Record in a Thrilling Mexican Grand Prix
In a spellbinding Mexican Grand Prix, Red Bull’s Max Verstappen etched his name in Formula One’s annals by securing his 16th victory of the season, equalling the legendary Alain Prost’s record. The race, characterized by crashes and high drama, left spectators in awe.
Starting from the third position on the grid, Verstappen seized the lead from the very beginning, delivering a dominant performance amidst a race punctuated by a significant red flag stoppage due to Kevin Magnussen’s Haas crash.
At the age of 26, the Dutchman not only clinched his fifth Mexican Grand Prix win but also achieved his record-equalling 18th podium finish this season. In a series of unfortunate events, pole-sitter Charles Leclerc, who collided with Sergio Perez’s Red Bull at the first corner, faced his 11th consecutive failure to convert the pole into a victory. Perez spun off, and later retired, disappointing his home Mexican fans present at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez.
Verstappen expressed his exhilaration, saying, “To win from P3 is just amazing. I started P3, and the car was really great. It was a very strong race, and now I don’t know – more wins, maybe 17 or 18!”
Lewis Hamilton, who began the race in the sixth position, rebounded with a commendable performance. He stated, “I feel fresh. I was pushing, but not crazy hard. It is a great result, considering we started sixth. This is a great result for us in a difficult few weeks.”
Leclerc noted “a lot of booing” from the crowd and clarified his part in Perez’s exit: “I had nowhere to go. I was between the two Red Bulls. Checo damaged my car, and it ended his race. It was not on purpose.”
The race saw Verstappen’s sensational start, surging between the Ferraris to seize the inside line. A gripping moment arose when Perez went three abreast with Verstappen and Leclerc, resulting in contact with the Ferrari and his subsequent retirement.
During lap 20, Verstappen established a commanding lead of 4.6 seconds before pitting for hard tires, momentarily relinquishing the lead to Leclerc. However, he quickly climbed the ranks and returned to fifth as competitors made pit stops. The race took another dramatic turn when Kevin Magnussen crashed heavily at Turn Nine, necessitating a safety car.
After a 20-minute interruption for debris clearance, the race resumed with a standing start. Verstappen, on hard tires, demonstrated exceptional skill and reclaimed the lead ahead of Leclerc. Hamilton, using medium tires, maneuvered his way to second place.
As the race advanced, Verstappen built a considerable lead, leaving spectators on the edge of their seats. His historic win not only leveled the playing field with Alain Prost but also captivated the world with Formula One’s unceasing spectacle. The Mexican Grand Prix proved to be a true motorsport spectacle, serving as a testament to the brilliance of these remarkable athletes. https://www.sportiwe.com/
