Ford reacts to Verstappen's Mexico win as Red Bull move clear in third

On Sunday, Mekies was complimentary of the Red Bull Ford engine. The team boss said the power unit handled the high altitude well. Ford, the manufacturer whose name is on that engine, has now responded in a statement on its own website.

Rushbrook started with the driver. "Max's historic sixth victory in Mexico is a fantastic achievement and moving him into second place in the Drivers' Championship is a great achievement."

The Ford boss then turned to the team as a whole. He described Red Bull's position in the constructors' standings as a reward for the whole Red Bull Ford Powertrains operation, both at the track and at the factory.

Red Bull arrived in Mexico level with McLaren in third place and left it in sole possession of the spot. Verstappen's win was Red Bull Ford's third of the season and gave the team its thirteenth podium of the year.

The win also changed the drivers' standings. Verstappen started from fifth and beat Lewis Hamilton to the flag by 0.799 seconds. That took him from fourth to second in the championship on 261 points, two ahead of Hamilton and eleven clear of George Russell, with four races to go. Kimi Antonelli had already wrapped up the title in Mexico.

Meanwhile, Isack Hadjar's afternoon was much harder. Starting seventh, the Frenchman spun at the start and dropped 15 places to the back of the field. He fought back to finish 12th, and ended up scoring 2 points after the post-race penalties were handed out by the stewards. The championship continues next weekend at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix.