Verstappen sets new F1 record after winning Mexico Grand Prix

Max Verstappen has now won more races in a single Formula 1 season than any other driver in the sport's history after recording victory number 14 in the 2022 Mexico Grand Prix. Red Bull Racing comfortably survived an alternative strategy from the Mercedes drivers to win without any trouble. Lewis Hamilton couldn't close the gap on newer hard tyres and settled for second place. Home favourite Sergio Perez rounded out the podium. 

Verstappen's 14th victory in the 2022 Formula 1 season, takes him above Michael Schumacher and Sebastian Vettel who managed 13 wins in their best seasons. Though with more races on the current calendar than any other previous attempt, Verstappen will have to win the two remaining races in Brazil and Abu Dhabi to have the highest win percentage. 

The 2022 World Champion defended against the tow going into turn one and never looked back. He made the job look easy and cruised through the Grand Prix. Mercedes opted for an alternative strategy, by starting on the medium compound tyres before moving to the hards later than Red Bull's switch from soft to medium. Ferrari spent the race languishing in fifth and sixth as their car couldn't provide a challenge at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodriguez circuit. This meant Mexican Perez made a significant gain on Leclerc for P2 in the World Championship. 

Daniel Ricciardo was slapped with a ten-second penalty for a lunge into Yuki Tsunoda whilst trying to make an overtake on the Japanese driver. As a result, Tsunoda had to retire from the race. Ricciardo made up the ten seconds to finish seventh. Alpine looked to be making big gains on McLaren in the Constructors' Championship until Fernando Alonso retired with five laps remaining. Valtteri Bottas closed a very good weekend with a top ten finish. 

The points scorers in Mexico City #MexicoGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/xJFaLXCrf8

— Formula 1 (@F1) October 30, 2022

The grid

Very little separated the drivers during practice and qualifying but Verstappen pushed forward when it mattered the most in Q3 to secure pole position by three-tenths. Both Mercedes cars were in pursuit, with home favourite Perez starting from fourth. Ferrari had a poor qualifying session by their 2022 standards and started further back in the top ten. Red Bull and Ferrari opted for soft tyres, but Mercedes selected the medium compound. 

Verstappen aced the start and didn't let the threat of slipstream trouble him. He reached the first corner without any driver having a realistic chance for the overtake. Hamilton and Perez made their way through on Russell who caught the kerb harder than he would've wanted. On lap three, Verstappen generated a 1.5 second lead over his rival for the 2021 title. Over the next ten laps, Verstappen was unable to break the tow. Hamilton held on to the 1.5 second gap as he managed his medium tyres. 

In the pits

On lap 24, Red Bull mechanics came out into the pits and greeted Perez for the medium tyres. The Austrian team had a five second stop. Verstappen got his wish two laps later and pitted for the medium tyres. The Dutchman had a smoother pitstop, and therefore came out ahead of Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc. The man from Monaco prevented Perez advancing back through the field, who reported issues with his DRS. 

Mercedes reacted with Hamilton on lap 30 for a set of hard tyres confirming the Brit's one-stop strategy. Hamilton came out six seconds behind Verstappen. Russell, who at this stage led the race, wanted to extend his stint until lap 35 for hard tyres. Hamilton dropped back on Verstappen and even had Perez getting within DRS range from behind. With 30 laps to go, Hamilton had a nine second deficit and it was all about whether Red Bull could make the medium tyres last until the end of the race. Verstappen opened up the gap, and Mercedes' hopes of tyre degradtation fell empty.