Mexican Grand Prix LIVE: Result and reaction as Max Verstappen beats Lewis Hamilton
Will Lewis Hamilton close the gap to championship leader Max Verstappen? Follow all the action from Mexico
Lewis Hamilton’s dreams of a record-breaking eighth world championship are hanging by a thread after Max Verstappen outgunned his rival to win the Mexican Grand Prix.
Verstappen delivered the start of starts to blast away from third, and beat both Hamilton and pole-sitter Valtteri Bottas on the 220mph stampede to the opening corner.
Mexico City’s Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez sits a breathless 2,285 metres above sea level, and Verstappen’s breathtaking getaway puts him in the driving seat to claim his maiden title and deny Hamilton further history.
Follow all the reaction from the Mexican Grand Prix below.
Verstappen wins the Mexican Grand Prix
Lewis Hamilton’s dreams of a record-breaking eighth world championship are hanging by a thread after Max Verstappen outgunned his rival to win the Mexican Grand Prix.
Verstappen delivered the start of starts to blast away from third, and beat both Hamilton and pole-sitter Valtteri Bottas on the 220mph stampede to the opening corner.
Mexico City’s Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez sits a breathless 2,285 metres above sea level, and Verstappen’s breathtaking getaway puts him in the driving seat to claim his maiden title and deny Hamilton further history.
Indeed, with just four rounds and 107 points to play for, Hamilton, who held off Sergio Perez in the closing stages to finish second, is now 19 points behind.
PA
Verstappen increases title lead over Hamilton with Mexican GP victory
Verstappen is now 19 points ahead with just four races remaining.
Verstappen wins the Mexican Grand Prix
Verstappen stands on top of the podium and lifts the Mexican Grand Prix trophy! There is a truly incredible atmosphere at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez.
And we have to wait just seven more days to go all over again! We head to the Brazil Grand Prix next, in what is always one of the highlights of the season.
It’s an F1 Sprint weekend, too!
Verstappen wins the Mexican Grand Prix
And this is what is means to the drivers’ standings. Max Verstappen holds a 19 point lead over Lewis Hamilton with four races of the season remaining.
In the constructors, Red Bull have cut the gap to Mercedes to just one point - while Ferrari have moved ahead of McLaren in the battle for third.
1. Verstappen - 312.5 points
2. Hamilton - 293.5
3, Bottas - 185
4. Perez - 165
5. Norris - 150
Verstappen wins the Mexican Grand Prix
The atmosphere for the drivers’ interviews is quite incredible right now. It’s like Perez has won the race!
Max Verstappen; “It’s incredible - having Checo as a team-mate it’s amazing to come here. [At the start] it was about trying to brake as late as you can. I went from third to first and from there I could just focus on my own race. There’s still a long way to go but it’s looking good. It can also turn very quickly but I’m looking forward to Brazil. It was actually straight forward today
Lewis Hamilton: “Firstly congratulations to Max. Their car was superior this weekend and there was nothing I could do about it. I’ve had the pressure before so it was easy to hold on. He did a great job and it shows how fast their car was that he could close in.”
Sergio Perez: “It’s an incredible day! Of course I wanted more, I wanted the one-two. But I gave my heart for these people. I could hear them as I go round!”
MAX VERSTAPPEN WINS THE MEXICAN GRAND PRIX!
There are huge roars as Perez emerges from his car. He becomes the first Mexican driver to get on the podium at the Mexican Grand Prix - he is the hero of the day.
“I gave it everything - they were too quick and we just didn’t have the pace,” says Hamilton.
MAX VERSTAPPEN WINS THE MEXICAN GRAND PRIX!
“YES! What a race, great job guys. Unbelievable pace on the car!” shouts Verstappen - it’s a commanding win for him, as he moves closer to the world championship by adding five points to his lead over Hamilton.
“I’m so happy we won in our country!” says Perez. “Let’s drink some tequila!”
1. Verstappen
2. Hamilton
3. Perez
4. Gasly
5. Sainz
MAX VERSTAPPEN WINS THE MEXICO GRAND PRIX!
Hamilton hangs on for second and Perez claims a brilliant third at his home Grand Prix!
Bottas has had a horrid afternoon but steals the fastest lap on the final lap of the race!
FINAL LAP
Verstappen is going to win the Mexico Grand Prix - but here comes Perez! It’s the last chance for him and he pushes, but doesn’t quite manage to trouble Hamilton.
Lap 70/71: Anyway, Perez has made a late push on Hamilton and is now on 0.8 seconds behind as they hit traffic in front!
Lap 70/71: Crazy! Bottas has to pit again to get away from Verstappen!
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