Verstappen setback in World Championship duel after double penalty

The three-time Formula 1 world champion managed to climb from 15th place to sixth place. However, his pursuer Lando Norris raced to second place in the McLaren. In the World Championship standings, the 24-year-old Brit from McLaren reduced his deficit by ten points. Before the last four World Championship races of the year, he is still 47 points behind the defending champion in the Red Bull.

As in the US race, Ferrari triumphed in Mexico. This time Carlos Sainz won, Charles Leclerc missed out on a double victory when he braked too late under pressure from Norris a few laps before the end and still only finished third. In the constructors' world championship, however, the Scuderia overtook Red Bull, is second behind McLaren and can legitimately hope for the first world title since the team triumph in 2008.

This is how the race began The front runners went through the first few corners without any accidents. Verstappen pushed himself alongside Sainz and past him, the Spaniard drove his Ferrari through the grass, took a shortcut and got back in front of the Dutchman. However, he let him pass again - as the rules stipulate in one case. Behind him, Norris was waiting for a gap between the two. But they didn't do him that favor.

Lando Norris finished second. © ANSA / JOSE MENDEZ

The safety car came out on lap one - Yuki Tsunoda had crashed into the track barriers in his Racing Bull, as had Alexander Albon in his Williams. Verstappen mastered the restart after the clean-up work in his usual manner - he didn't give Sainz a chance at first. But he didn't stay in front for long. Sainz overtook spectacularly, then Norris wanted to try it too.

Verstappen vs. Norris A week after the incident in Austin, when Norris was penalized for leaving the track while attempting to overtake Verstappen and dropped to fourth place behind the Red Bull star, the two provided new fuel for what had already been an explosive World Championship duel. Verstappen pushed Norris off the track, the Briton came back ahead of Verstappen, who tried the same shortly afterwards. The cars touched. Norris raged over the radio. The race stewards promptly began an investigation. Verstappen was ultimately given two ten-second penalties.

Took a hard line: Max Verstappen. © ANSA / MARIO GUZMAN

As in Austin, Ferrari benefited from the rustic duel between the World Championship rivals. Leclerc moved up to second place behind Sainz. In Austin, the Scuderia celebrated a double victory, with Leclerc winning ahead of Sainz. This time, Norris pushed himself between the two Ferrari drivers, and in the end, Sainz won ahead of the Briton and the Monegasque.

The Suffering of the Local Hero Sergio Perez definitely had a day to forget. The Mexican local hero wanted to turn his home race into a turning point in what he described as a "terrible season". However, after another disappointment in front of his own fans, he must be more worried than ever about his future alongside Verstappen.

Red Bull showed what is possible. He took one after the other and was back in sixth place with 30 laps to go. But Verstappen wasn't the only one who saw that dark clouds were gathering. Mexican GP, the top 10 Pos Name Team 1. Carlos Sainz Classic Ferrari for sale 2. Lando Norris McLaren 3. Charles Leclerc Classic Ferrari for sale 4. Lewis Hamilton Classic Mercedes for sale 5. George Russell Classic Mercedes for sale 6. Max Verstappen Red Bull 7. Kevin Magnussen Haas 8. Oscar piastri McLaren 9. Nico Hulkenberg Haas 10. Pierre Gasly Alpine

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Verstappen setback in World Championship duel after double penalty

After a double time penalty, Max Verstappen lost a lot of points in the poisonous World Championship duel with Lando Norris in the thin air of Mexico City.

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