Red Bull’s Max Verstappen cruised to a record third career Mexico City Grand Prix victory ,while his team mate Sergio Perez comes home in P3 – who became the first Mexican driver to take a Formula 1 podium at their home race.
Sergio Perez becomes the first Mexican to stand on the podium at his home race after charging to P3. And also he become first Mexican to lead the home grand prix on lap 34, when his teammate pitted for new hard compounds. The Mexican also wins Driver of the Day award for his charging performance in the race.
Max Verstappen (312.5 points) leads the Drivers’ Championship from Lewis (293.5) by 19 points, with Valtteri in P3 (185).
Max Verstappen (P1)
“It was an incredible day for the Team and also for the fans, to have Checo on the podium here in Mexico at his home Grand Prix was great, so it couldn’t have been better. I knew the start was very important today, we were three wide at one point and I was on the more ideal race line so I could brake later and get into the lead.
After that I could do my own thing, the pace was very good today so I could just keep building and creating a gap, the pit stops were seamless and the car was good throughout the race which was crucial today. Checo, for the last few races has really picked it up, he’s been up there and he was really pressuring Lewis today towards the end. I’m still not thinking about that trophy, we’ll try again in Brazil and just keep pushing.”
Sergio Perez (P3)
“This is a great result for my country, I really wanted more but unfortunately we didn’t get that. It was so messy in turn one so to avoid incident there was critical and then I wanted second place, but we didn’t get the chance because it is just so difficult to overtake around here. I was really close to getting Lewis but the Mercedes are so quick on the straight lines so I didn’t get a opportunity to go for it but I gave my best.
I could feel the fans energy when I was going through the stadium sector and I was thinking about how many people were here for me, I could actually hear the crowd when I was driving through Foro Sol. I wanted more but I am just very happy to be on the podium of my home country, the Mexicans were so happy today.
We are so competitive as drivers that when we finish third we aren’t happy but today I had to enjoy it, everyone who has been there since the start with me was there at the end of the race and that was an amazing moment for me. I think today we were the fastest Team but that is going to swing around for the remainder of the season, so we just have to keep our focus and keep pushing.”
Christian Horner, Team Principal
“It’s the first time Honda have had a driver win nine races in a year, as Max was tied with Senna on eight, so that’s a great achievement for him and Honda. It was a flawless performance from the entire team, from drivers to pitstops to strategy to reliability, it was really a strong team performance “
