Just a week after his victory in Austin, Scuderia Ferrari’s Carlos Saenz delivered another stellar performance to claim the top step of the podium in Mexico. The team’s precise strategy and seamless teamwork, led by Saenz and Charles Leclerc, resulted in a dominating weekend. Saenz, starting from pole, executed a brilliant pass on Max Verstappen early in the race, then maintained a strong lead to secure an unchallenged win. Leclerc benefited from an early skirmish between Verstappen and Land Norris, moving up to second, but ultimately settled for third as Norris reclaimed the position late in the race. Nevertheless, Leclerc snatched the fastest lap point, ensuring Ferrari left Mexico with 41 additional points. This victory marks Ferrari’s 248th race win and moves them to second in the Constructors’ standings, trailing McLaren by 29 points with four races to go.
Race Highlights
Ferrari had analyzed every possible scenario for the opening lap, mindful that pole sitters often lose the lead on the long straight at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez. As anticipated, Verstappen managed to overtake Sainz on the inside, with Leclerc opting to play it safe and secure fourth. The race was briefly interrupted by a safety car following an early incident between Yuki Tsunoda and Alexander Albon. When racing resumed, Sainz swiftly closed in on Verstappen and, in a stunning maneuver, overtook him down the main straight, pulling away comfortably from there on out. Leclerc took advantage of the ongoing battle between Verstappen and Norris to move up without difficulty.
Ferrari’s strategic pit stops kept their drivers in control, with Leclerc pitting first to stay ahead of his competitors, while Sainz continued to maintain his lead without challenge. Toward the race’s end, Leclerc yielded second place to Norris after running wide due to grip loss, but a final switch to soft tires allowed him to set the fastest lap, securing additional points.
Looking Ahead: Brazil
This victory is particularly special for Ferrari, marking their first win in Mexico since 1990 and underscoring the team’s continued progress post-summer break. With little time to celebrate, the team now heads to Brazil for the final race of the American triple-header at Interlagos.
Carlos Sainz #55
“I’m incredibly happy! It’s been a long wait since Australia for another win, so to achieve it here in Mexico feels extra special, especially with the amazing support from the fans and having my family here. We anticipated a possible loss of position at the start, but reclaiming it with a bold move at Turn 1 was key. After that, it was about managing the tires and pace to the finish. This back-to-back win reflects the hard work from everyone, and we’re closing in on the Constructors’ Championship. Now, on to Brazil!”
Charles Leclerc #16
“It was a challenging race, and P3 was likely our best outcome. The first stint was all about keeping tire temperatures in check, which wasn’t easy. But I focused on maximizing points for the team. It’s fantastic to see how well we’ve come back in recent weeks, and we’re now focused on fighting for the Constructors’ title. We’ll keep pushing in Brazil to build on this momentum.”
Fred Vasseur – Team Principal, Scuderia Ferrari HP
“We’re thrilled with this second win in a row. Carlos had a perfect weekend, showing his skill with a clever race from start to finish. Charles also had good pace, though backmarkers hindered his fight for P2. Managing the unique conditions at Mexico’s high altitude is no easy task, and the team did a fantastic job keeping everything in check. Our car has proven competitive across different tracks since Monza, and we’re optimistic for the upcoming races. We’ll approach Brazil with the same determination, taking it one race at a time as we push forward in the championship.
