Ferrari Party In Mexico As Carlos Sainz Takes Win Ahead Of McLaren's Lando Norris

Ferrari continued ir excellent run of form from qualifying session to main race at Mexican Grand Prix. Carlos Sainz converted his first pole of season into a race win for Ferrari. Sainz's teammate Charles Leclerc finished third in race leing to a double podium for Ferrari. With double podium, Ferrari also overtook Red Bull in Constructors Championship standings. two Ferrari's were split by McLaren's Lando Norris who me great strides in his quest for first drivers championships. 

Carlos Sainz Wins Mexican Grand Prix 

Carlos Sainz Jr. won Mexico City Grand Prix on Sunday and Lando Norris closed gap in Formula 1 championship race after anor contentious battle with Max Verstappen.

Verstappen started second and took le from pole-sitter Sainz on start, but 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.

restart was spicy with Ferrari's racing Verstappen and Norris for position. And for a second consecutive week, title contenders clashed.

Norris was penalized a week ago at United States Grand Prix for forcing Verstappen off track — a punishment that gave final spot on podium to three-time reigning world champion. It also allowed Verstappen to widen his le in driver standings to 57 points before race Sunday.

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tables were turned at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez when Verstappen was given a 10-second penalty for banging wheels with Norris and forcing Norris off track.

“Ten? That’s aggressive,” Verstappen said.

He n was slapped with a second 10-second penalty for gaining position when he left track for a combined 20-second penalty to be served on his first pit stop.

“That’s fine n. That’s silly, man,” Verstappen rioed.

He pitted from third on Lap 27 and his mechanics could not begin his service until 20-second penalty was served. He dropped to 15th when he rejoined race. 

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Although Verstappen recovered to finish sixth, Norris spoiled what looked to be a Ferrari sweep when he snatched second place from Charles Leclerc with eight laps remaining. finishes were a 10-point swing for Norris, who now trails Verstappen by 47 points with four races remaining.

Leclerc finished third for Ferrari, which like McLaren is trying to dethrone Red Bull for lucrative constructors' championship. 

Mercedes Improve Upon American Grand Prix 

Mercedes drivers Lewis Hamilton and George Russell finished fourth and fifth and Verstappen was sixth. Kevin Magnussen was seventh for Haas and followed by Oscar Piastri of McLaren, Nico Hülkenberg of Haas and Pierre Gasly of Alpine.

Sianz, meanwhile, not only won but finished on podium for first time in Mexico City. It was fourth win of his career, and second of season for driver who is being replaced by Hamilton next year at Ferrari. Sainz h never before won two races in a season.

“This was a master class,” Ferrari team told Sainz.

“Thank you, this feels good,” replied Sainz, who sounded emotional. “Most definitely happy. Gracias, Mexico.”

Embattled driver Sergio Perez h a long day at his home race from very start.

Mexican, who was eliminated in first round of qualifying to earn an 18th-place starting spot, gained five positions at start. But was immediately handed a five-second penalty for being outside his box at start.

It dropped him to 16th and he finished 17th.

Perez also got into a wheel-to-wheel battle with Liam Lawson that turned contentious on team rio as two battled for position on 19th lap.

“What (expective) is this idiot doing? Is he OK?” Perez asked on his rio as drivers went wheel-to-wheel and me contact. Perez was run wide of track in battle.

Lawson was just as irate.

“Is he (expletive) serious?” Lawson asked on his rio.

"Loud and clear, we'll review it, he down," Lawson was told by his RB team.

Fernando Alonso's 400th career Formula 1 start was a short one: he drove his Aston Martin back garage on 16th lap.

He finished 18th and team said brakes on his Aston Martin were overheating.

Alonso began race weekend ill and skipped Thursday events but returned by Friday's second practice. two-time F1 champion alrey held record for most starts in series history, setting record when he passed Kimi Räikkönen, who retired with 353 starts.

43-year-old Alonso started race ninth in driver standings. He has 32 career victories and 106 podium finishes. 

(With AP Inputs)