Valtteri Bottas was Saturday’s big exclamation point thanks to a super time in the qualifiers. In today’s Mexican GP he was out of the lead battle after two curves. Max Verstappen drove to a completely unthreatened victory – Kimi Räikkönen was the race’s only Finnish scorer.
Valtteri Bottas gave a strong message in the qualifiers and the hopes of the season’s second GP victory lived on when the Finn got to start from the first box in Mexico.
But most things went wrong for the Mercedes driver after the start lights went out.
At the same time as Bottas gassed alongside his stablemate Lewis Hamilton in the start, Max Verstappen got plenty of space to pass the close duo from the outside. The Dutchman slowed down later than the others in the first corner and quickly created a safe lead.
– It was all about braking as late as possible. I was kept on the track, went from third to first and that laid the foundation for my race when I could focus on my own driving, says Verstappen in the victory interview afterwards.
Verstappen stood for one of the season’s most dominant performances and the World Cup leader’s victory was never in danger.
Nothing worked for Bottas
The difficult first curve would be followed by an even more depressing second curve for Bottas. The Finn spun around after Daniel Ricciardo pushed to his rear tire and suddenly Bottas was 18th.
Bottas played an extra role in the rest of the race and could not even threaten a point spot. To top it all, the stable made a total unsuccessful depot stop of around twelve seconds, which made the Finns’ race even more difficult.
During the last four races in Mexico, those who started from the first box have never made it to the podium.
In the end, there were two more stops for Bottas in the hunt for the bonus points for the fastest lap. The Finn managed to pinch the extra points, but was only 15th in goal.
– It was a pretty special competition. After spinning around in the first lap, it was difficult. The engine and brakes overheated easily and I had to drive calmer between my overtaking attempts, Bottas explains in C More’s broadcast.
Hamilton, in turn, failed to respond to Verstappen’s speed. The Dutchman now leads the drivers’ championship with 19 points.
– They are clearly too fast for us, the British sighed to the stable when 23 of 71 laps were run.
Max Verstappen – superior winner in Mexico.
Bild: Magazine image
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Instead, the seven-time world champion had to focus on defending himself against the home jumper Sergio Perez, who overshadowed the Mercedes star at the end. Hamilton held off and thanks to Botta’s extra points, Mercedes leads the constructors’ championship by one point.
– Their car was faster this weekend and there was not much we could do about it. I gave everything I could, Hamilton concludes.
The best race of the season by Räikkönen
But there were also positive blue and white elements in Mexico. The race’s other Finns fixed points after their best effort of the season.
Kimi Räikkönen had a brilliant starting position when he was lifted up to the tenth box, due to engine changes, after being twelfth in the qualifiers. Alfa Romeo has enjoyed the Mexican track this week and Räikkönen made no major mistakes in the race.
The iceman drove excellently. He passed George Russell early and was finally eighth – his clearly best effort this year.
– We got what we could get today. It was important to drive past the Williams car and after that we saved a little on the tires and brakes, comments Räikkönen.
Four races remain of the season. Next week you drive in Brazil.
Mexikos GP
1. Max Verstappen, Red Bull
2. Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes +16,555
3. Sergio Perez, Red Bull +17,752
4. Pierre Gasly, AlphaTauri +1.03,845
5. Charles Leclerc, Ferrari +1.21,037
6. Carlos Sainz, Ferrari +1 lap
7. Sebastian Vettel, Aston Martin +1
8. Kimi Räikkönen, Alfa Romeo +1
9. Fernando Alonso, Alpine +1
10. Lando Norris, McLaren +1
11. Antonio Giovinazzi, Alfa Romeo +1
12. Daniel Ricciardo, McLaren +1
13. Esteban Ocon, Alpine +1
14. Lance Stroll, Aston Martin +2
15. Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes +2
16. George Russell, Williams +2
17. Nicholas Latifi, Williams +2
18. Nikita Mazepin, Haas +3
Mick Schumacher, Haas, and Yuki Tsunoda, AlphaTauri, interrupted.
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The drivers’ championship
1. Verstappen 312,5
2. Hamilton 293,5
3. Bottas 185
4. Perez 165
5. Norris 150
6. Leclerc 138
7. Sainz Jr. 130.5
8. Ricciardo 105
9. Gasly 86
10. Alonso 60
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16. Raikkonen 10
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The constructors’ championship
1. Mercedes 478,5
2. Red Bull 477,5
3. Ferrari 268,5
4. McLaren 255
5. Alpine and AlphaTauri 106
7. Aston Martin 68
8. Williams 23
9. Alfa Romeo 11
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