Chaos at Turn One, not a whole lot after that.
Max Verstappen and Red Bull dominated at the Mexico City Grand Prix as the Dutchman took another big step towards securing his first championship.
The Red Bulls had, as expected, proven to be easily the quickest package around the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, as the Mercedes engine struggled in the thin air 2,200 metres above sea level. But during qualifying the form book was flipped on its head as Yuki Tsunoda, Sergio Pérez and Verstappen tripped over one another on the crucial final lap of Q3, allowing a surprise Mercedes front-row lockout.
The long run to the first corner would clearly be crucial and Mercedes had hatched a plan for Lewis Hamilton to slot in behind teammate Valtteri Bottas so as to benefit from the slipstream.
However, Hamilton got the better start and was almost immediately alongside the Finn. There was still the opportunity to form a dual-Mercedes roadblock, but Bottas left a Verstappen-sized gap on the outside and car number 33 happily slotted into it, with the trio heading into the first corner three-wide.
Verstappen was able to brake far later than the two Silver Arrows – who had been struggling with the heavy braking for the first corner all weekend – and sweep round on the grippier racing line. From there, the race was his.
Mercedes’ poor opening 30 seconds got worse still as Bottas was spun around by Daniel Ricciardo, with chaos ensuing amongst the following pack.
Pérez took to the grass as the rest of the drivers attempted to navigate the stranded Mercedes, but Tsunoda and Mick Schumacher were both launched into the air as they sandwiched a helpless Esteban Ocon and would be forced to retire from the resulting damage.
Once the inevitable Safety Car had returned to the pits and Verstappen had successfully survived a second run to Turn One, he streaked off into the lead and it became clear that, on this occasion, it would not be a Hamilton-Verstappen battle as much as the seven-time world champion defending second place from the second Red Bull.
Home hero Pérez sat within two seconds of Hamilton for much of the first half of the race without ever getting close to attempt a move. Red Bull then attempted to create a tyre deficit for the second stint, leaving him out for a further 11 laps after Hamilton pitted. Despite closing in rapidly, he was again unable to pass in the closing laps, but was nonetheless delighted with third place as he became the first Mexican driver to climb onto the podium at the Mexican Grand Prix.
Out front, it was plain sailing for Verstappen. A few late games as a lapped Bottas attempted to steal the point for fastest lap away from him were his only real point of note as he clinched a ninth win of the season and extended his championship lead to 19 points.
Behind the front three, Pierre Gasly came home an excellent fourth, followed by the Ferrari pair, as the Scuderia leapfrogged McLaren into third in the constructors’ standings. Then came the old guard, in the shape of Sebastian Vettel, Kimi Räikkönen and Fernando Alonso, with Lando Norris taking the final point as he recovered well from the back of the grid.
Championship Over?
There has been a lot of talk on social media of Verstappen having the title all but wrapped up after yet another win. But, there are still four races to go in which anything could happen.
Brazil next weekend looks likely to favour Red Bull again, but by a smaller margin, and Interlagos has a knack for producing chaos one way or another. After that come two unknowns in Qatar and Saudi Arabia, before the finale in Abu Dhabi which should see the teams fairly evenly matched.
Hamilton certainly has plenty of work to do now, and will probably need a hand from lady luck, but all it takes is one retirement to turn the championship on its head.
After all, never forget the end of the 2007 season… Räikkonen was 17 points behind with 20 remaining from the final two races and somehow managed to come away with the title.
The fat lady may be doing her vocal warm-ups but there’s still a long walk from her dressing room to the stage.
The Mexico City Grand Prix in 60 Seconds
Answering the Burning Questions
Will Red Bull have the advantage that most expect of them this weekend? Yes, they will.
Can Sergio Pérez do anything special in front of his passionate home crowd? The first-ever Mexican to finish on the podium and to lead at his home race is pretty special.
Will there be any major announcements over the weekend? Nothing this week.
