For the return of F1 on the route Rodriguez Brothers from Mexico City after an absence of 23 years, Nico Rosberg put an end to a long period without success which had been running since last June and the Austrian Grand Prix. The German thus won his fourth victory of the year.
The pilot Mercedes, who started from pole position, dominated the Mexican event against his teammate Lewis Hamilton, in particular by controlling the restart following the intervention of the safety car to the exit of the track Sebastian Vettel, despite a small off-trajectory passage without consequences.
Lewis Hamilton, although he maintained a constant threat to Rosberg, was never able to attempt an attack and finished second ahead of la Williams de Valtteri Bottas, who recovered third position on the restart after the Safety-Car re-entered against the Red Bull by Daniil Kvyat. This is the Grove driver's second podium after Canada.
Daniel Ricciardo (Red Bull) climbs to fifth position ahead of the second Williams of Felipe Massa. Group shot of Force India in seventh and eighth positions with Nico Hulkenberg who finds the points ahead of national hero Sergio Pérez. Max Verstappen (Toro Rosso) and Romain Grosjean (Lotus) complete the top 10.
Race on the other hand to forget for the Team Ferrari. Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Räikkönen were both forced to abandon in Mexico, a first for the Italian team since Australia in 2006. In a repeat of the incident which marked the end of the Russian Grand Prix, the Finn retired following a collision with the Williams of his compatriot Valtteri Bottas, while Sebastian Vettel made a mistake at turn 7 and hit the protective barriers. The four-time world champion nevertheless left his home alone car.
The German, victim of a puncture on the first lap after contact with the Red Bull of Daniel Ricciardo, had already made a mistake in this same curve earlier during the event, and especially sees Nico Rosberg regain second place in the championship.
Fernando Alonso (McLaren) also gave up following a problem with the energy recovery system on his MP4-30? Honda. The penultimate Grand Prix of the season will take place in Brazil on November 15.
Discover the report and analysis of the Mexican Grand Prix, produced by our special correspondents in Mexico City, in issue 2036 of AUTOhebdo, available from tomorrow evening in digital version, and from this Wednesday on newsstands.
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