F1 news: Ferrari dominance makes Mexican Grand Prix a must-watch
Last weekend’s United States Grand Prix delivered a dramatic shake-up in the Formula 1 season.
In somewhat of a surprise, Ferrari eased to a dominant 1-2 finish at the Circuit of The Americas.
This result follows wins at the Italian, Monaco, and Australian GPs for the team currently in third position in the Constructors’ Championship standings.
With only five races left, it is shaping up to be an enthralling end to a fascinating season of racing.
Here, Sports News Blitz’s Noah Ngcobo analyses the results from Austin and breaks down what to expect in the upcoming Mexican GP.
Ferrari and Red Bull triumph in Texas
In a perfect weekend for the Scuderia, Charles Leclerc took a commanding victory, crossing the line 8.5 seconds ahead of his team-mate Carlos Sainz.
The result significantly boosts Ferrari's standing in the Constructors’ Championship and highlights Leclerc as one of the key drivers to watch in the closing stages of the 2024 season.
Red Bull’s Max Verstappen was unable to secure the top spot this time, settling for third, but he nevertheless extended his lead in the Drivers' Championship standings.
Verstappen finished 19.4 seconds behind Leclerc and, while the result was not ideal, it is yet another reminder of his consistent form throughout the season.
His third-place finish keeps him in firm control of the title fight, but Ferrari’s recent form signals that Red Bull might face more challenges than expected in the final races of the season.
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McLaren and Mercedes in the mix
McLaren also showed their strength in Texas, with Lando Norris finishing in fourth and team-mate Oscar Piastri rounding out the top five.
This keeps McLaren atop the Constructors' Championship, although Ferrari’s 1-2 finish in Austin will have narrowed the gap.
For Mercedes, it was a weekend of contrasting fortunes. George Russell, after starting from the pit lane, managed to climb up to sixth place, showing impressive recovery and race craft.
Lewis Hamilton, however, faced a disastrous early exit after a spin on Lap 3 led to his retirement from the race. He had historically thrived in Austin.
This DNF will be a significant blow to Hamilton’s end to the season and a reminder of how quickly fortunes can change in F1.
Looking ahead to Mexico
As Formula 1 moves south to the Mexican GP, the stakes continue to rise. The Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez presents a unique set of challenges, primarily due to its high altitude.
At around 2,200 metres above sea level, the thinner air affects engine performance, aerodynamics and tyre degradation. This makes it one of the most challenging circuits on the calendar.
This weekend’s schedule will also see a slight alteration from the traditional format. While the first practice session will be as per usual, the second practice will be extended to 90 minutes to accommodate Pirelli’s tyre testing for the 2025 season.
Such additional track time will be vital for teams as they prepare to fine-tune their set-ups in the high-altitude environment as well as test softer tyre compounds for future use.
The Mexican GP is a historic part of the F1 calendar, with notable winners such as Ayrton Senna, Nigel Mansell, Lewis Hamilton and, more recently, Max Verstappen.
Crucially, Verstappen has a strong record at this track and will be looking to capitalise on that as he pushes closer to sealing the Drivers' Championship.
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Key storylines for the weekend
Ferrari’s momentum: After a stunning 1-2 finish in Austin, Ferrari will be hoping to carry that impetus into Mexico.
Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz have shown strong form of late, and a solid performance here could further close the gap to McLaren in the Constructors’ Championship.
Verstappen’s title push: While Verstappen’s third-place finish in the United States GP wasn’t his best result, he still extended his Driver’s Championship lead.
A victory in Mexico could all-but guarantee the title for the talented Dutchman.
Mercedes’ recovery: Coming off Hamilton’s early exit in Austin and Russell’s starting from the pit lane, Mercedes will be looking to bounce back in Mexico.
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes’ 2025 driver prospect, will get his second taste of F1 action as he takes over Hamilton’s car during Friday’s first practice session.
After impressing at Monza earlier this year, Antonelli will be keen to make a strong impression as he continues to prepare for his future F1 career.
Hamilton will then return for the extended second practice as the team focuses on finding the right balance amidst the unique conditions of the Mexican track.
Final stretch of the season
The Mexican GP marks the beginning of the final stretch of the 2024 season.
After this, the teams will head to Brazil, the highly-anticipated Las Vegas GP, and finally Abu Dhabi, where the championships will be decided.
With just a few races left, every point counts, especially for those battling for second place in both the Drivers' and Constructors' standings.
The Mexican GP is thus pivotal in shaping the remainder of the season.
Ferrari, with newfound momentum, will be pushing to challenge Red Bull’s dominance while Verstappen aims to wrap up his championship campaign.
The high-altitude conditions in Mexico City will test every team’s ability to adapt, making this one of the most-anticipated races of the year.
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