MEXICO CITY –
It shortly grew to become clear this is able to be the season that Max Verstappen set the record for many wins in a Formula One season.
It was by no means a query of if the Dutchman would win 14 races.
It was solely a query of when.
And now? By how a lot will Verstappen finally shatter the mark he shared with Michael Schumacher and Sebastian Vettel?
Verstappen set the F1 record for wins in a season Sunday on the Mexico City Grand Prix with his 14th victory of the season. It broke the record set by Schumacher in 2004 and tied by Vettel it 2013.
Verstappen solely shared the mark with the Germans for all of 1 week following his victory final Sunday at Circuit of the Americas in Texas. Paired with wins at Miami, Montreal and now Mexico City, Verstappen swept the North American portion of this yr’s F1 schedule.
Just one other day for Verstappen.
“I used to be by no means actually occupied with stats,” Verstappen mentioned. “I at all times simply stay within the moment. I attempt to do one of the best I can each single weekend. I attempt to win races and that’s the most essential factor. I’m not that occupied with maintaining with each stat. It is wonderful season and we’re comfortable to be profitable.”
Verstappen retained his F1 world championship with 4 races remaining within the season, clinched the constructors championship for Red Bull with three races remaining within the season, and has two races left to completely demolish the wins-in-a-season record.
Red Bull has gained 9 consecutive races, tying the workforce record set in 2013. The workforce has gained 16 of 21 F1 races this season with Verstappen and Sergio Perez, winner at Monaco and Singapore.
Lewis Hamilton completed second for the second consecutive week. He may need had a shot at his first win of the season, however Mercedes made the improper name on a tire change that gave Verstappen management.
“We did not select the fitting tire technique in hindsight,” Hamilton mentioned. “Nonetheless, to be this near Red Bull makes me very happy with my workforce. We’re getting nearer to the entrance, and we’ll proceed to push. The final couple of races, we have taken a giant step ahead with the automotive and I hope we’ll proceed like this for the ultimate two.”
Perez completed third on his dwelling observe for the second consecutive yr — incomes deafening cheers though a Mexican driver has but to win on the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez.
Perez has been mobbed by adoring followers all week in his return. It started with an illustration run in his hometown of Guadalajara earlier than he arrived on the circuit, the place Perez has been swarmed by crowds as quickly as he enters the paddock.
He had to make use of a again path to get to the Red Bull storage every on-track session as drivers and groups complained a lot of the weekend that the spectators who had bought paddock entry had been too aggressive.
But the followers love their native driver and, earlier than the race, Perez took a journey across the observe on the again of a convertible Volkswagen. He typically held his hand to his coronary heart to point out his appreciation to the 120,000-plus followers.
“It’s been unbelievable, truthfully,” Perez advised the group in Spanish after the race. “Thank you for all of the assist you’ve got given me this weekend. You’re unbelievable, one of the best fan base. Thank you.”
The three-day weekend bought out in two minutes earlier this yr, and the three-day crowd of 395,902 broke the mark set final yr of 371,779. F1 additionally mentioned forward of the race that it had prolonged its contract with the race — typically voted hottest amongst followers — via 2025.
The day belonged to Verstappen, who began from the pole and gained for the thirty fourth time in his profession. He held the lead firstly as Hamilton handed teammate George Russell for second and Perez additionally made it previous Russell.
Hamilton may need raced for the win and was the chief when he pitted and Mercedes selected the more durable, extra sturdy tire compound. Verstappen had a softer and quicker tire and Hamilton lacked the velocity to problem for the victory.
Hamilton has two extra probabilities to keep away from the primary winless season of his profession.
Pierre Gassly, in the meantime, earned one other two penalty factors for working Lance Stroll huge off observe and the Frenchman is now one penalty level away from a one-race suspension.