Sainz wins Mexico City Grand Prix as Norris tightens championship fight
CTV
Carlos Sainz Jr. won the Mexico City Grand Prix on Sunday and Lando Norris closed the gap on Max Verstappen after another furious battle that cost the reigning three-time series champion three penalties and shaved 10 points off Verstappen's lead in the standings.
Carlos Sainz Jr. got the win he desperately wanted in the final days of his Ferrari career. The Formula One title race, meanwhile, grew a lot more contentious.
Sainz won the Mexico City Grand Prix on Sunday and Lando Norris closed the gap on Max Verstappen after another furious battle that cost the reigning three-time series champion three penalties and shaved 10 points off Verstappen's lead in the standings.
Sainz not only won but finished on the podium for the first time in Mexico City. It was the fourth win of his career, and second of the season for the driver who is being replaced by Lewis Hamilton next year at Ferrari. The Spaniard had never before won two races in a season.
"Honestly, I really wanted this one," said Sainz, who sounded emotional on his radio on the cool-down lap. "I really needed it for myself, I wanted to get it done. I've been saying for a while I wanted to get one more win before leaving Ferrari, and to do it here in front of this mega crowd, it is incredible."
Verstappen started second and took the lead from pole-sitter Sainz on the start, but the first lap quickly drew a caution when contact between Yuki Tsunoda and Alex Albon caused Tsundona to crash and Albon to retire with damage to his car.
The restart was spicy with the Ferraris racing Verstappen and Norris for position. And for a second consecutive week, the title contenders clashed.
Norris was penalized last week. This time it cost Verstappen two penalties totalling 20 seconds. After the race, the FIA also penalized Verstappen two points to give him six for the 12-month period.
