Ferrari will look to build on their brilliant form when the 20th round of the 2024 Formula 1 World Championship, the Mexico City Grand Prix, is held at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez on the evening of Sunday 27 October.
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Charles Leclerc led home Carlos Sainz Jnr for a Ferrari 1-2 at the United States Grand Prix this past weekend, with the ‘Scuderia’ proving too fast for the Red Bulls and McLarens, as Max Verstappen claimed third (extending his lead at the top of the Drivers’ Championship to 57 points), while his nearest chaser Lando Norris was demoted to fourth as a result of a time penalty.
“We saw it in the Sprint and were, not scared, but thought the others would improve but we still had the upper hand,” said Leclerc, who noted that Ferrari could push on to usurp McLaren at the top of the Constructors’ Championship.
“Really happy with today. One-two for the team. We couldn’t have dreamt for better. We are still targeting the title but it’s a good start to this triple-header [which sees races in Mexico City and Sao Paulo on successive weekends].”
Verstappen, meanwhile, noted that he enjoyed the on-track battle with title rival Norris. The latter driver overtook the Dutchman with just a few laps remaining, but did so outside of the track limits and was hit with a time penalty as a result.
“I just tried to do the best I could,” noted the Dutchman. “The balance wasn’t great. I was not able to attack the corners. He was putting a lot of pressure. Around here, it’s quite a good track to defend. There’s a lot of possibilities. It makes it good for racing.
“I think it’s quite clear you can’t overtake out of the white line. I got done for it in 2017 or whatever it was so I lost my podium like that. I was just remaining calm, do the best I could after that to bring the car until the end. It wasn’t easy with the tyres and situation I was in. Overall, I still really enjoyed that battle we had.”
The Mexico City GP has been held since 2015 in its current guise and Verstappen is the most successful driver, with five race wins (including three in a row from 2021 to 2023). However, most focus will fall on fellow Red Bull pilot Sergio Perez, who continues to be under pressure to perform for the Austrian-based team in their hunt for the Constructors’ title.
“Perez has a contract for 2025,” Red Bull’s F1 advisor Dr. Helmut Marko explained. “If he delivers with performance, that will not be called into question. But Formula 1 is a competitive sport, which is why Daniel Ricciardo was also replaced.”
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Mexico City Grand Prix broadcast details, 25-27 October 2024
All times CAT
Friday 25 October
20:30: Practice 1 – LIVE on SuperSport Motorsport and SuperSport Maximo 1
Saturday 26 October
00:00: Practice 2 – LIVE on SuperSport Motorsport and SuperSport Maximo 1
19:30: Practice 3 – LIVE on SuperSport Motorsport and SuperSport Maximo 1
23:00: Qualifying – LIVE on SuperSport Motorsport and SuperSport Maximo 1
Sunday 27 October
22:00: Mexico City Grand Prix – LIVE on SuperSport Motorsport and SuperSport Maximo 1