Carlos Sainz collected his second win of the season and Lando Norris closed the gap on standings leader Max Verstappen to 47 points in the Mexican Grand Prix results 2024.
Ferrari’s Sainz, who also won in Australia, beat McLaren’s Norris by almost five seconds, while Verstappen finished sixth after dropping to 15th on the 27th lap because of a 20-second penalty.
The reigning champion was punished as a result of two reported incidents from a tenth-lap clash with McLaren’s Norris, who described Verstappen’s driving as “not very clean”.
Carlos in tears after a DOMINANT victory 😢🏆 pic.twitter.com/BKGfjr1pkz
— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) October 27, 2024
Norris ‘knew what to expect’ from Verstappen
“I knew what to expect,” Norris said of the situation. “I didn’t want to expect such a thing because I respect Max as a driver but I was ready to expect something like this… I avoided it and it was a good race.”
Norris began the race knowing that he needed to beat Red Bull’s Verstappen by an average of 12 points per race in order to win the title during the final five of the season.
“I just keep my head down,” he said of his challenge. “I’m doing my best. We’re doing a good job as a team.
“We were probably quickest in the end. We keep our head down, that’s what I can do for now. Focus on ourselves, we keep pushing.”
And here’s the full race classification 👇#F1 #MexicoGP pic.twitter.com/gqO3O9wjSF
— Formula 1 (@F1) October 27, 2024
Sainz: Mexico win ‘incredible’
Sainz started on pole, was overtaken by Verstappen on lap one and regained the lead a lap later.
“I was just a bit annoyed at the start, having lost position to him,” said Sainz, who is leaving Ferrari at the end of the season.
“I said I need to surprise him one way or another, as he’s super difficult to pass – he’s proven it many, many times.
“I think we’re going to get into very dangerous territory” 😳
Christian Horner on Max Verstappen’s penalties for his Mexico clash with Lando Norris 👇 pic.twitter.com/dH2azn6vU0
— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) October 27, 2024
“I really wanted this one. I needed it for myself, I wanted to get it done. I’ve been saying for a while I wanted one more win before leaving Ferrari and to do it here in front of this mega crowd is incredible.
“Now, with four races left, I want to enjoy as much as possible and if another one comes I will go for it.”
Ferrari overtook Red Bull in the constructors’ standings and are 29 points behind leaders McLaren.
