Carlos Sainz claimed his second victory of 2024 at the Mexican Grand Prix with a commanding drive, leading from the restart after a safety car period. The Spaniard had lost the lead to Max Verstappen at the start but reclaimed it after a dramatic opening lap. A first-corner clash between Alex Albon and Yuki Tsunoda brought out the safety car, which nullified the early action. Sainz, who Verstappen had forced onto the grass at Turn 1, took advantage of the restart to pass the Dutchman in Turn 1 and establish a strong lead.
Verstappen’s race then unraveled as he was penalized twice for aggressive moves on Lando Norris, first forcing him off the track at Turn 4 and later at Turn 7. These penalties dropped the Red Bull driver down the order to sixth, ending his hopes of victory. Leclerc, who was caught up in the battle for second, seized the opportunity to move into second place after Verstappen’s penalties but could never challenge his teammate for the win. Sainz built an unassailable lead, aided by a well-timed pit stop phase and strategic tire management. Despite Leclerc’s attempts to close the gap, he eventually struggled with tire wear and Norris overtook him, finishing second.
Norris made late gains on Sainz, reducing the gap to 4.7 seconds by the end of the race, but he could not get close enough to threaten the lead. Lewis Hamilton fought back to finish fourth after a lengthy battle with Mercedes teammate George Russell, who was fifth overall. Verstappen, struggling on hard tires, ended up sixth, with Kevin Magnussen in seventh and Oscar Piastri in eighth. Sergio Perez, racing in his home Grand Prix, endured a difficult weekend, finishing last after a penalty and a clash with Liam Lawson.
This win for Carlos Sainz marks his rise to greatness in Formula 1. His win for Ferrari also adds to the Ferrari legacy, demonstrating the brand’s return to form.
