Max Verstappen analyses Sergio Perez's costly move at Mexico City Grand Prix

Max Verstappen, the reigning World Champion and Red Bull Racing prodigy, found himself at the epicentre of such drama during the recent Mexico City Grand Prix. A breathtaking start, involving Verstappen's teammate Sergio Perez and Ferrari's Charles Leclerc, set the stage for a pivotal moment in the race.

From their starting positions of third and fifth on the grid, Verstappen and Perez harboured hopes of seizing the coveted top step of the podium. As the red lights went out, Verstappen executed a masterful move, slipping past pole-sitter Charles Leclerc to claim the inside line at Turn 1. Meanwhile, Perez opted for the riskier outside line, setting the stage for a daring three-way tussle into the braking zone.

It was in this high-stakes moment that disaster struck. Perez, at the wheel of the Red Bull RB19, faced contact from the left-front of Leclerc's Ferrari. The impact launched Perez's car into the air, causing severe damage to the car's floor and sidepod. The home crowd, eager to witness a Mexican hero's triumph, watched in dismay as their local favourite's chances of glory vanished in an instant.

Verstappen expressed empathy for his teammate's plight. "I understand because it is his home Grand Prix," Verstappen acknowledged. "You want to be on the podium, I fully understand that he went around the outside and he tried [to pass for the lead]."

However, the Dutch ace also analysed the incident from a racing perspective, emphasizing the fine line between heroics and mishap in Formula 1. "Looking at the footage, I think he could have left a little bit more space, but on the other hand, if it would have worked, you look amazing," Verstappen noted. "I think it's just more the excitement of wanting to be on the podium, and this time, it didn't work out unfortunately."

Despite the dramatic episode, Verstappen admitted to having a limited view of the unfolding chaos while he focused intently on his battle with Leclerc. "At the time, I didn't really see a lot," he confessed. "At one point, I just saw a car that was flying in the air, but then I saw the footage after the race. While I was driving, it was a bit hard because I was mainly focusing on Charles because I couldn't see what was happening on the outside."

This incident in Mexico City adds another layer to the fierce competition in Formula 1 and underscores the high-stakes nature of the sport. While Verstappen and Red Bull celebrated a well-fought victory, Perez and the home crowd were left with a sense of 'what could have been'.

Looking ahead, the Formula 1 circus gears up for its next thrilling spectacle: the Sao Paulo Grand Prix. Scheduled as a Sprint Race weekend from 3-5 November, this event will unfold at the iconic Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace in Brazil. Fans around the world eagerly anticipate the action as the season hurtles toward its climax, with Verstappen, Lewis Hamilton, and a host of other challengers vying for glory in this high-speed drama.

 

Read More: Red Bull's Max Verstappen wins the Mexico City Grand Prix (planetsport.com)