After a race weekend full of action and tension, the Mexican Grand Prix spotlighted these three essential points.
Between Verstappen’s clashes, Ferrari’s performances, and altercations between drivers, this Mexican GP is sparking plenty of debate. Let’s take a look at the top 3 things to remember from the 2024 Mexico GP.
Read more:
Norris is ready to play in Verstappen’s league
Right from the first laps, the tone was set. Max Verstappen, with his well-known aggressive style that often pushes the limits of the rules, didn’t hesitate to battle Lando Norris in multiple corners, particularly in turns 4 and 8. This time, the verdict fell: 2 × 10-second penalties. Norris, however, was ready to fight back and didn’t back down. Once again, this shows that the Red Bull driver is prepared to leverage the rules to his advantage, walking a fine line, but for the first time, his rival managed to push him over that line. In my opinion, this added to the show. The problem now is that we’re entering a phase of rule disputes, track limits, and penalties that detract somewhat from the racing and the sport itself. This clash brings to mind the 2021 Verstappen-Hamilton battle, where the Dutch driver’s aggression also drew criticism. Ultimately, should we blame Max for his aggressive style or see it as a way to spice up the battles on track?
Ferrari could be the 2024 F1 constructors’ champion
Amid this chaos, Ferrari clearly knew how to make the most of their weekend. Carlos Sainz, as the big winner of the Mexican GP, and Leclerc, a strong third after a big scare in the final corner. Sainz took advantage of his limited remaining time at Ferrari to win, leading the race with mastery. Sure, he lost the lead in the first corner, but that’s often the reality given the extreme length of the initial acceleration. He regained control with a fantastic, forceful overtake on Verstappen, proving he’s here to battle. This victory shows one thing: Ferrari is back at the front; they understand their F1 car, and their sporting director Fred Vasseur has guided the team to this point. And with only a 29-point gap to McLaren in the Constructors’ Championship, Ferrari fans (myself included) can dream of a world championship title in 2024. Just imagine…
That was one fiesta, Mexico! 🇲🇽#MexicoGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/NcVzrWygnX
— Scuderia Ferrari HP (@ScuderiaFerrari) October 28, 2024
Lawson could push Perez out of Formula 1.
During the Mexican Grand Prix, the tension between Sergio Perez and the young Lawson reached a boiling point, as expected. To recap, Perez, currently with Red Bull, is at risk of losing his seat next year due to a lack of pace, and Lawson, now a driver at Racing Bulls (Red Bull Racing’s sister team), is one of the candidates to replace him. In a tight battle, the two collided, causing damage to Perez’s car, putting him under even more pressure with replacement rumors swirling and racing on home turf to boot. Lawson didn’t hesitate to give Perez a middle finger during the overtake to express his frustration. A bit much for a rookie… After the race, Perez didn’t hold back, criticizing Lawson’s lack of humility as an F1 newcomer. For Lawson, it’s about proving his worth against a veteran. Stay tuned at the Brazilian GP on November 3, 2024.
This article explores the tensions between Verstappen and Norris, Ferrari’s rise, and the budding rivalry between Perez and Lawson. Between spectacle and fair play, Formula 1 will need to decide how to ensure a fair and exciting championship for all fans and teams alike.
Featured image: FIA Press Release