Race winner Max Verstappen of Netherlands and Red Bull Racing celebrates in parc ferme during the F1 Grand Prix of Mexico at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez on November 07, 2021 in Mexico City, Mexico. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)
Despite having been surprisingly locked out of the front row during Qualifying on Saturday, both Max Verstappen and Sergio Pérez of Red Bull Racing Honda had a Mexican Grand Prix to remember.
Max Verstappen of the Netherlands driving the (33) Red Bull Racing RB16B Honda leads Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain driving the (44) Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team Mercedes W12 and the rest of the field at the start during the F1 Grand Prix of Mexico at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez on November 07, 2021 in Mexico City, Mexico. (Photo by Peter Fox/Getty Images)
Verstappen, taking advantage of the tow behind Valterri Bottas and title-rival Lewis Hamilton, held his nerve to brake latest into the first corner and pass both Mercedes within seconds of the start. From that point on, he built a commanding lead and never seemed troubled, taking the chequered flag with a cushion of over 16 seconds to extend his championship lead to 19 points with four races remaining.
Max Verstappen of the Netherlands driving the (33) Red Bull Racing RB16B Honda during the F1 Grand Prix of Mexico at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez on November 07, 2021 in Mexico City, Mexico. (Photo by Peter Fox/Getty Images)Sergio Perez of Mexico driving the (11) Red Bull Racing RB16B Honda during the F1 Grand Prix of Mexico at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez on November 07, 2021 in Mexico City, Mexico. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)
Pérez meanwhile finished in third to take his third consecutive podium finish and his first at his home race. He was hot on Hamilton’s trail over the closing laps, but just could not find a way past the British driver. The one-three result leaves Red Bull Racing Honda a single point behind Mercedes in the quest for the Constructors’ Championship.
Race winner Max Verstappen of Netherlands and Red Bull Racing, second placed Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes GP and third placed Sergio Perez of Mexico and Red Bull Racing stand on the podium during the F1 Grand Prix of Mexico at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez on November 07, 2021 in Mexico City, Mexico. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)The car of race winner Max Verstappen of Netherlands and Red Bull Racing is raised onto the podium during the prize presentation ceremony after the F1 Grand Prix of Mexico at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez on November 07, 2021 in Mexico City, Mexico. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)Race winner Max Verstappen of Netherlands and Red Bull Racing and third placed Sergio Perez of Mexico and Red Bull Racing celebrate with their team after the F1 Grand Prix of Mexico at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez on November 07, 2021 in Mexico City, Mexico. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)
One place further back was Pierre Gasly of Scuderia AlphaTauri. The Frenchman performed impressively throughout the weekend, converting his P5 qualifying position into a solid fourth on race day and finished comfortably ahead of the pursuing Ferraris. However, teammate Yuki Tsunoda’s race was over before it had really begun, after a coming-together with Mick Schumacher’s Haas saw both driver’s retire on the first lap.
Pierre Gasly of France driving the (10) Scuderia AlphaTauri AT02 Honda during the F1 Grand Prix of Mexico at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez on November 07, 2021 in Mexico City, Mexico. (Photo by Peter Fox/Getty Images)Pierre Gasly of France driving the (10) Scuderia AlphaTauri AT02 Honda during the F1 Grand Prix of Mexico at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez on November 07, 2021 in Mexico City, Mexico. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)
