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Formula 1: Mexico Grand Prix 2023 Recap

Fiona.mansell
Image shows a Formula 1 car.

Fiona Mansell

The Mexico Grand Prix truly tested the Formula 1 team. The infamous Autódromo Hermanos Rodriguez lies more than 2,200 metres above sea level, which poses a challenge to aerodynamics and, more importantly, cooling.

The Mexico Grand Prix was the home race of Red Bull driver Sergio Perez, who stood in second place in the Constructors’ Championship ahead of the racing weekend. For many Mexican fans, he is the man they came to see. This was also a special weekend for Nico Hulkenberg, as he celebrated his 200th Grand Prix race.

Free Practice One

Max Verstappen has the record for the most wins at the Mexico Grand Prix, with a total of four. It therefore came as no surprise when he dominated the track in the first practice, setting the fastest lap times.

Lando Norris and Perez started to challenge each other at Turn 4. Perez eventually went too deep into the corner and gave way to Norris, who looked strong. Alex Albon was also surprised in his Williams car, setting the second-fastest lap time of the practice.

Spanish driver Carlos Sainz felt under the weather entering this weekend, so was unable to perform media duties leading up to the race. Though in practice it appears that it was not just him struggling, but his car too.

This practice also saw five rookie drivers take to the track. They included 18-year-old Oliver Bearman, who replaced Kevin Magnussen in his Haas car. He impressed and outperformed two-time World Champion Fernando Alonso.

Free Practice Two

Alonso had quite a scare during the second practice session when he lost the rear of his car. After spinning out, he eventually recovered and carried on with smoking tyres.

“The fastest man on the track was once again Verstappen.”

He was not the only one struggling to control their car in this practice. Hulkenberg drifted at Turn 7 and Logan Sergeant took out a bollard after too tight a line at Turn 2.

The fastest man on the track was once again Verstappen with a time of 1:18:686. Norris set the second fastest lap, with Charles Leclerc following in third. Australian driver Daniel Riccardo is also growing in confidence after his return from injury, securing sixth place in the penultimate practice.

Free Practice Three

The final practice before qualifying saw Verstappen once again prove his pace, dominating all the practices across the weekend. Albon, again, set the second-fastest lap time of the practice. Perez grew into these practice sessions as he set the third fastest lap of the final session.

“Turn 12 appeared to be an issue for several drivers in this practice.”

Lance Stroll had a disappointing practice after taking to the run-off in Turn 9. He then obstructed Sainz in his Ferrari, causing him to spin out. “Honestly this guy. If that’s not a penalty. He cannot do that in practice,” said a frustrated Sainz over the team radio.

Turn 12 appeared to be an issue for several drivers in this practice. Pierre Gasly was late in his breaking and eventually spun out before Yuki Tsunoda, Oscar Piastri and Sainz all misjudged the same corner and went wide.

Qualifying

It was a disappointing start to qualifying for Norris when he finished in 19th place, following his four podium finishes in a row and appearing strong. His wheels locked up, resulting in an initial slow lap time for the McLaren driver. He spoke to the press after the race, saying: “It was a shame but my one opportunity that I needed to lap in, I locked up”. Alonso then spun out, causing a yellow flag before Norris ended his session early.

https://twitter.com/McLarenF1/status/1718383721085112399

Once again Aston Martin found themselves struggling in the second half of the season, as Alonso started in 13th and his teammate Stroll in 18th.

Albon, again, looked strong in his Williams car, securing his way into Q1. However, he then had his lap time delegated for exceeding track limits so had to start in 14th.

It seemed to be a weaker qualifying day for Ferrari. However, out of nowhere, they secured a front-row lockout with Leclerc on pole. Despite Verstappen dominating practices and the rest of qualifying, he only started race day in 3rd. “Of course, I would have liked to start first, but we’ll have a good slipstream to Turn 1 and we’ll see what happens,” he told the press after the race.

It was a great qualifying for Daniel Riccardo too, who started race day in 4th after out-performing Perez at his home race.

Race Day

Yuki Tsundoa received new parts on his Alpha Tauri car, some of which were restricted. These parts fell outside of the season’s allocation, resulting in a starting place at the back of the grid. This meant Norris started in the 17th.

As the race started, Verstappen was able to squeeze between the two Ferraris, with Sainz eventually falling behind. Perez then came along the outside before going three wide, alongside Verstappen and Leclerc.

https://twitter.com/F1/status/1718914386142642476

Eventually, Perez and Leclerc made contact and the Ferrari sandwiched between the two Red Bulls. Leclerc received front wing damage as Verstappen took the lead. Unfortunately, Perez was forced to retire the car and bowed out of his home race in Mexico.

Verstappen pitted early, where he appeared to be aiming for a two-stop race. Ferrari once again aimed for a one-stop race, leaving Leclerc leading the Mexican Grand Prix.

Lewis Hamilton also had an impressive overtake on Riccardo and then on Sainz; Leclerc then came out ahead of Hamilton.

A Devastating Crash

Haas driver Kevin Magnussen crashed into the barriers after something in his left rear tyre broke. The driver was deemed uninjured but red flags were waved, meaning a stop in the race as the barriers were fixed.

Norris was then able to work his way up the pack, but during the restart, he dropped four places. It was an unlucky restart for him, as he began to take over drivers again. He eventually ends up 12 places ahead of where he started, demonstrating some impressive overtakes in the process.

https://twitter.com/F1/status/1718733031257551224

Hamilton once again had an impressive overtake, getting past Leclerc and working his way into second place. Tsunoda and Piastri also battled it out in seventh and eighth which unfortunately ended in contact, resulting in Tsunoda spinning off the track and losing several places.

Aston Martin again had trouble as both of their drivers did not finish the race.

The Verdict

Overall, the Mexico Grand Prix was an eventful, surprising and disappointing weekend for many drivers.  Despite some disappointment for Norris in qualifying, he showed great strength after the restart to secure fifth place. Ferrari surprised fans with a front-row lockout, but Verstappen dominated again where he demonstrated some incredible pace. Another surprise was Riccardo, who secured seventh place after battling George Russel’s Mercedes towards the end.

Verstappen once again showed his metal this weekend, coming out on top. However, we can only imagine the heartbreak of his teammate Perez after he retired from his treasured home race.

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Featured image courtesy of Robert Nightingale via Flickr. No changes were made to this image. Image license found here.

Fiona is now undergoing a master's degree in 'Visual Journalism' in Cardiff after recently graduating with first-class honours in 'Performance and Media.' Most of her writing focuses on her passion for motorsport.

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