Max Verstappen continued his extraordinary 2023 campaign by clinching his 16th victory at the Mexico City Grand Prix, placing him in joint fourth on Formula 1’s all-time list. The Dutch driver, who already secured the title in Qatar, exhibited a stellar performance, making a lightning start from third on the grid and surpassing Charles Leclerc at Turn 1.
Despite a race restart in the second half, Verstappen dominated from that point onward, securing the win with Lewis Hamilton finishing second, approximately 14 seconds behind. Charles Leclerc completed the podium in third place. This triumph marked Verstappen’s 51st F1 career win, equalling the legendary Alain Prost’s record.
Only Sebastian Vettel (53), Michael Schumacher (91), and Lewis Hamilton (103) have accumulated more victories in their careers. This win also surpasses Verstappen’s own record of 15 wins in a season set last year. The Red Bull driver has the potential to extend his tally to 19 by the end of the year if he maintains his winning streak.
While Verstappen celebrated success, it was a bittersweet race for Red Bull as Sergio Perez’s hopes were dashed seconds into the race. A collision with Leclerc prompted a red flag, disrupting Perez’s race. Despite the setback, Verstappen continued to assert his dominance, emphasizing his prowess on the track.
Hamilton’s courageous overtake of Leclerc, Lando Norris’s remarkable charge from 19th to 5th, and McLaren’s strong performance added further excitement to the race. Verstappen’s relentless pursuit of records makes the remainder of the F1 season eagerly anticipated, with fans eager to witness more historic achievements on the track.
