Verstappen takes Mexico City GP for 16th F1 win of season, breaking his own record

Two perfect starts made for a record 16th win of the season for Formula One champion Max Verstappen on a wild Sunday for Red Bull at the Mexico City Grand Prix.

While Verstappen was cruising to another victory in a season of domination, a first-corner crash ruined the home race of his teammate Sergio Perez, who now finds himself barely clinging to second in the season championship ahead of Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton with three races left.

Verstappen started from third and won from the same spot as he did in 2021. Back then, he used the slingshot effect of the draft down the long starting straight at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez to whip to the outside and pass two cars.

This time, Verstappen's quick bolt off the starting line allowed him to squeeze between the two Ferraris of Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz and into the lead.

He was in total control over the next 35 laps but still had work to do. A hard crash by Haas driver Kevin Magnussen at the halfway point forced the race into a halt and a restart. Verstappen nailed that one as well and was never threatened for the checkered flag.

"Everything I did, I had to start over," Verstappen said.

Verstappen earned his third consecutive win in Mexico City and fifth overall at the track since 2017. He also collected career win No. 51, tying him for fourth place in F1 history with Alain Prost. He is two shy of Sebastian Vettel for third. Hamilton holds the record with 103.

MAX VERSTAPPEN WINS IN MEXICO!!!