Carlos Sainz stunned the F1 world at the Mexican GP, pulling off an unexpected Lap 9 overtake on Max Verstappen that helped him secure a crucial win for Ferrari. After clinching pole position in qualifying, Sainz faced an early setback when Verstappen, starting second, edged past him on the opening lap. But Sainz was not about to let victory slip away, catching the Dutch driver by surprise with a perfectly timed DRS move that changed the race’s momentum.
Reflecting on his daring maneuver, Sainz admitted his move was not only bold but unexpected, even for Verstappen. “Probably catching him a bit by surprise because I was quite far back,” Sainz explained. “But I felt that last 100 meters, I had a good momentum and was confident in the braking zone.” His confidence paid off, as the Ferrari’s braking power and high-altitude setup enabled him to pull off the pass and secure his second win of the season.
Sainz’s victory in Mexico not only showcased Ferrari’s performance upgrades but also significantly shifted the constructors’ standings. Ferrari’s dual podium finish, with Sainz and teammate Charles Leclerc, yielded 41 points, catapulting the Scuderia past Red Bull to second place in the team rankings. With only a 29-point gap separating them from McLaren, Ferrari is now a serious contender in the final leg of the season, poised to challenge for the top spot.
Sainz’s confidence leading up to the race was evident, with the Spaniard bringing along family, friends, and his girlfriend from Spain for support. “I had a very good feeling coming into the weekend. My family, best friends, girlfriend—a lot of people were here to support me,” Sainz shared post-race.
Now, with just four races and two sprints left on the calendar, Ferrari finds itself closer than ever to a potentially game-changing season finish. Their high-altitude victory in Mexico, powered by Ferrari’s refined power unit and tactical braking, may be just the edge they need to challenge McLaren and rewrite this season’s narrative.
