• Home
  • News
  • F1
  • Verstappen takes the break in Mexico and distances Hamilton
F1

Verstappen takes the break in Mexico and distances Hamilton

The Red Bull driver is now 19 points ahead of Lewis Hamilton thanks to his ninth victory of the 2021 season. Pierre Gasly finished fourth.

Published on 07/11/2021 à 21:44

Medhi Casaurang

1 View comments)

Verstappen takes the break in Mexico and distances Hamilton

Max Verstappen (Red Bull) takes the lead from the first corner with this daring double overtake. © Florent Gooden DPPI

A great pilot is distinguished by his propensity to get back up after a defeat. Beaten and visibly dejected following a qualifying session which did not honor his status as favorite, Max Verstappen (Red Bull) reacted in an unstoppable way at the Grand Prix of Mexico (Mexico) this Sunday, November 7.

The Dutchman pulled out one of his great incisive maneuvers, the secret of which he has from the first braking moment. Placed outside, the wearer of number 33 caught the pole-sitter with a cold Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes) and Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes), yet positioned on the first row of the starting grid.

 

This sequence is enough to sum up the race: dominated in qualifying, the Red Bulls were particularly spirited a day later. Quite the opposite of the Mercedes, who had a bad Sunday.

Indeed, Valtteri Bottas was sent into a spin by Daniel Ricciardo (McLaren) after a few hectometers; a recalcitrant pit stop for the first and a broken wing for the second named ended their chances of points.

As for Lewis Hamilton, if he records a new podium, it is obviously not a good operation in view of his quest for an eighth world title. The Briton finished second, without ever having been able to threaten the championship leader, who now has a 19-point margin.

In fact, Sergio Pérez (Red Bull) came close to defeating him during the final loops. The crowd's favorite took advantage of a better pace during the second stint (initiated with a staggered tactic and therefore with fresher tires) to get closer to less than a second of his opponent, but the opening was not never presented. The Mexican, however, achieved his best result on his home soil.

Practically ignored by TV production, Pierre Gasly (Alpha Tauri) once again makes a perfect copy. The Frenchman, qualified fifth, gained a place during the figure of Valtteri Bottas, then led his boat without worrying about the Ferrari launched into a vain pursuit. The Norman allows the Italian team to get dangerously close toAlpine in the fight for 5th place in the Manufacturers' standings.

The blue machines made it through the highest event on the calendar with difficulty. Esteban Ocon (13th) caught in two collisions at the start involving Yuki tsunoda (AlphaTauri) and Mick Schumacher (Haas), Fernando Alonso carried the hopes of the firm to the A arrow.

The Spaniard garners two small units (9th), behind the future retiree, Kimi Räikkönen (Alfa Romeo). The ranking is closed by Williams and the Haas of Nikita mazepin.

Find in the next AUTOhebdo, on sale Monday evening in digital version and Wednesday on newsstands, the analysis of the Mexico GP by our F1 reporters.

Ranking :

Medhi Casaurang

Passionate about the history of motorsport across all disciplines, I learned to read thanks to AUTOhebdo. At least that's what my parents tell everyone when they see my name inside!

1 View comments)

Read also

Comments

*The space reserved for logged in users. Please connect to be able to respond or post a comment!

1 Comment (s)

DANIEL MEYERS

08/11/2021 at 12:34 a.m.

It's starting to feel good for Max, it must be my Cartesian side which is taking over, but I would have liked that first, LH 'won' one more title than MS (the one who took out his opponents to be champion, I know, he's not the only one) Then, Verstappen would have had a bunch of years ahead of him to try to do even better, which he will most likely start this year. It’s a shame that Helmut and Horner are part of the party, their undrinkable behavior greatly spoils it.

To write a comment