Ferrari are the winners in Mexico City, with another double podium. The fight for the Championship is still open.
Ferrari landed in Mexico City after an incredible weekend in Austin. The aim was to replicate the result in order to re-open the Constructors Championship, challenging McLaren and Red Bull.
Charles Leclerc, the winner at COTA, spoke about the future of Ferrari for this season:
“There is still a Constructors’ Championship to compete in, five races are left and we must try. […] We are very motivated and know that the Constructors is possible. We hope to be able to get closer to McLaren.” – Charles Leclerc ahead of the Mexican GP.
The Monegasque driver didn’t take part in the first Free Practice session, Ollie Bearman filling his seat. Unfortunately, the session was quite troublesome for the British driver. After contact with Alexander Albon’s Williams between turn 10 and 11, he had to retire the car.
On the other hand, the Ferrari of Carlos Sainz had good race pace, closing the session in P2, behind George Russell. Sainz was the fastest on the track during the second Free Practice session. He crossed the finish line on Friday before the McLaren of Oscar Piastri and the surprising RB of Yuki Tsunoda.
Taking advantage of the red flag caused by Russell, Ferrari worked on Leclerc’s car and managed to run the FP2. The driver closed in P4, before Lando Norris’ McLaren. Both Ferraris showed competitive pace both in the long and short runs, especially compared to their direct rivals.
Just like the rest of the grid, during Mexico’s FP2, for 30 minutes, the team tested the new Pirelli tyres for 2025.
The good results seen on Friday were confirmed also during the last practice on Saturday. Both Ferrari returned to the box in P1 and P2, igniting the hopes of the Tifosi. Despite finishing the session behind the McLarens, with Sainz in p3 and Leclerc in p6, the expectations for Qualifying were high.
El Matador paints quali in red
The battle for pole was quite tight at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez. But in the end, it was Carlos Sainz who got the upper hand. The Ferrari driver marked a lap time of 1:15.946, before the two Title contenders Max Verstappen and Lando Norris.
During Q1, the Scuderia decided to save a train of soft tyres, going on the track with Mediums. Then, they proceeded to switch to Softs like the rest of the grid.
Sainz went P2, two-tenths behind the provisional pole man Lando Norris. Max Verstappen was right behind him in P3 while the other Ferrari of Leclerc was in P4.
Ferrari was competitive once again in Q2. Leclerc closed his attack time, but it was deleted for track limits. The Monegasque risked it all at the snake, between turn 10 and 11, but luckily he kept his Ferrari at bay.
They were P3 and P4 with Sainz-Leclerc before the session was red-flagged.
Q3 saw the Ferrari #55 in pole position. Sainz marked two incredible laps, also thanks to the tow Nico Hulkenberg offered him. Verstappen followed him, with an insane lap, but not enough to take pole from the Spaniard’s hands.
It was fourth position for Charles Leclerc who made another mistake in the snake but managed to stay ahead of the two Mercedes.
This was Sainz’ first pole since the iconic one in Singapore last season.
Scuderia Ferrari could celebrate the good result, but the focus was already on the race on a track where the start is crucial.
Ferrari dominates the race
The Scuderia pulled off an amazing performance in Mexico City, definitely the best cars on the track this weekend, particularly on race trim.
Leclerc and Sainz both started the Grand Prix on Medium compounds. At lights down, the Ferrari #55 couldn’t keep the lead against Verstappen who had a better start.
But, after the Safety Car caused by the contact between Yuki Tsunoda and Alexander Albon, he was aggressive and overtook Verstappen on the inside.
Two laps later, maximising off Norris and Verstappen’s battle, Leclerc got into second place. And only 10 laps into the Mexican Grand Prix, it was already a Ferrari 1-2.
Since then, the Scuderia had the whole control of the race. The two red cars had very consistent race pace, both setting lap times between 1:21 and 1:22.
On Lap 32, Leclerc boxed for Hard tyres and held the position once back on the track. One lap later, it was Sainz’s turn to box for Hards.
Ferrari nailed the tyre management, having a good performance on Hards as well.
With only 10 laps to go, Norris started to close the gap with Leclerc and got his DRS. The McLaren chased the Ferrari up until Lap 63 when the #16 made a mistake and went off the track. Luckily, the Monegasque kept his car under control and saved it, even though he lost the position on Norris.
On Lap 69, Leclerc boxed for Softs, trying to go for the fastest lap. His race took a whole turn, probably too much lift and coast with controversial team radios from Ferrari in the build-up to Norris’ attack. Also, the lapped drivers didn’t help Leclerc open the gap with the McLaren.
CARLOS WINS IN MEXICOOO!!! 🇲🇽 🔥#MexicoGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/L4Wr4lZMdw
— Scuderia Ferrari HP (@ScuderiaFerrari) October 27, 2024
Carlos Sainz, el Matador, won the Mexican Grand Prix, his second win this season. He’s the first Ferrari driver to win in Mexico since Alain Prost. Charles Leclerc closed the GP in P3 with the extra point for the fastest lap.
The team also took second place, overtaking Red Bull in the Constructors’. The Scuderia proved to be quite strong in this second part of the season. With four races left and two drivers hungry for wins, it isn’t impossible for the team of Maranello to dream of the Title.
