Ferrari surges as Norris and Verstappen clash intensifies

The Mexican Grand Prix delivered a lot of excitement. The team from Maranello confirmed that their one-two finish in Austin was not just a one-off form leap. They face a significant opportunity to secure their first Constructors' Championship in 16 years. McLaren still stands in their way, but the direct battle between Lando Norris and Max Verstappen for the driver’s championship effectively reduces the chances for the team from Woking.

The most crucial moment of Sunday’s race was the clash between Red Bull and McLaren drivers, which was not a clean fight once again. Max tried to use the same tactics in defence as the week before. On the approach to turn number 4, he pushed Norris off the track. Lando cut the corner and positioned himself ahead of Max. Wanting to avoid a repeat of the race in Austin, he decided to give the position back to Verstappen, but Max deliberately pushed the Brit off the track, also finding himself on the sidelines. The stewards showed no mercy and imposed a 20-second penalty on the Red Bull driver.

After the US Grand Prix, there were talks in the paddock about unclear guidelines regarding attacking and defending positions on the track. Some suggested that the regulations needed to be corrected, while Max openly stated that his driving did not break the rules but merely took full advantage of the current regulations. The discussion about officiating influenced the referees in Mexico. While there seems to be no doubt about the penalty for deliberately pushing Lando in turn number 8, the assessment of the situation in turn number 4 remains unclear. Here, it’s worth recalling the clash between these two in Austin, which was strikingly similar. Then, Max, as a defending driver, delayed braking and pushed Norris off the track, ending up off the track, yet was not penalized. In Mexico, Verstappen behaved similarly, staying within the track limits and receiving a 10-second penalty.

After the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez race, drivers and fans have more questions than answers. I believe the stewards delivered a more just verdict this time (although I think the penalty for the "turn four" incident should have been a maximum of 5 seconds). Unfortunately, there is a clear lack of consistency in assessing such situations, which needs to change. It’s hard to believe this will happen before this season ends, but by 2025, the guidelines must become clearer. In the meantime, I have a nearly certain feeling that the remainder of this season won’t be without controversies. The heat is rising between Norris and Verstappen, and we’ve learned how Max can behave in such situations, especially in the 2021 season.

The Ferrari team flawlessly leveraged the clash of title contenders in Mexico. Sainz and Leclerc found themselves at the front, creating a chance for a second consecutive one-two finish. When Max headed to the pit lane on the 17th lap, Lando finally had a clear track ahead and could start making up for lost time. Once again, the Brit utilized the strongest asset of his car, the exceptional performance on hard tyres, and in the second phase of the race, he set an incredible pace. The first driver he had to overcome was Charles Leclerc, who was in second position. The Monegasque tried to maintain similar lap times for a long time, but his tyres started to falter in the end. With eight laps to go, having Norris on his heels, he made a mistake exiting Peraltada, miraculously saving the car from crashing into the barrier. Lando gained the position but could only dream of victory. Sainz’s lead was too large, and the Spaniard crossed the finish line first.

Despite Ferrari drivers not securing a second one-two, Fred Vasseur has reasons to smile. Ferrari finds itself ahead of Red Bull in the Constructors’ standings, and their gap to McLaren is only 29 points. As a long-time Formula 1 enthusiast, I know well what most Tifosi are thinking. Despite the team’s great situation, they tend not to get their hopes up too high, recalling how their beloved team has historically squandered championship chances. However, in my opinion, Ferrari has had the best chance of getting the constructors’ title since 2008. In the final phase of the season, they have a terrific car. If Leclerc and Sainz maintain their current form, and Max and Lando continue to battle each other, the championship could be delivered to them on a platter.

Special thanks from Ferrari this weekend are due to Piastri and Perez. Both drivers were eliminated in Q1 during Saturday's qualifying, significantly weakening their teams for Sunday’s race. While Oscar can be forgiven, as it was only his second mishap this year, there are simply no words left for Checo. He compromised himself once again, this time in front of his home crowd. He started the race from the back of the grid, was positioned incorrectly on the starting grid, received a penalty, damaged his car in a clash with Lawson, and finished in 17th place. I am convinced that if Tsunoda and Lawson were to replace Perez even in Brazil, they wouldn’t perform worse. Red Bull’s management lacks courage, and the situation is evident – the Mexican driving is the main reason for Red Bull’s disappointing place in the standings. Suffice it to say that Max has scored 212 more points than Sergio this year.

While the Red Bulls may be disappointed with losing their position to Ferrari, Verstappen significantly benefits from the current balance of power. Leclerc is trailing him by as much as 71 points. Even if the Monegasque won all the races until the end of the year, Max would have to consistently finish outside the top five, a scenario hard to imagine. The Dutchman’s only task is to fend off Norris’s attacks and ensure that the solid 47-point lead does not evaporate due to collisions, dropping out of a race, or penalties for unsportsmanlike behaviour. However, we know that Max has faced bigger challenges in his career. Lando is not as demanding an opponent as Lewis Hamilton was, so winning a fourth title this year seems to be a relatively easy task.