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Although the weekend at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez centered heavily on Kimi Antonelli, the Formula 1 paddock focused largely on Ferrari’s internal tensions and Max Verstappen securing his sixth victory in Mexico. When asked about his impressive track record during the post-race press conference, Verstappen joked that the event should be renamed the “Maxico” Grand Prix.
The Factors Behind Verstappen’s Mexico Success
Several elements contribute to Verstappen’s strong form in Mexico. During Red Bull’s partnership with Honda, the Japanese manufacturer utilized an exceptionally effective turbo at high altitudes—drawing on aviation industry expertise—which gave Red Bull a significant engine performance advantage. Furthermore, Verstappen excels at handling the low-downforce conditions that typically create a slippery track and cause drivers to slide more than usual.
For the 2026 race, however, strategy played the most decisive role. Red Bull quickly corrected its approach after mistakes in Austin, where drivers felt the team stuck too rigidly to softer compounds and failed to adapt dynamically to race developments.
Executing the Winning Strategy
When Charles Leclerc received a five-second penalty, Red Bull instantly decided to pit Verstappen on the same lap, deviating from their original tyre plan. Having started on mediums, Verstappen would normally have run a longer first stint, but the team recognized that track position was vital at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez due to severe dirty air and overtaking difficulties under current power unit regulations.
Staying out longer would have handed Leclerc several laps of advantage on fresh rubber, meaning Verstappen would have rejoined behind his rival. Choosing track position instead paid off, as Verstappen explained that while he lacked the pace to stay with Leclerc, he maintained a gap within the five-second window. Verstappen also noted that executing a penalty precisely is difficult for mechanics, who often build in a safety margin, allowing him to jump Leclerc by pitting simultaneously.
The decision forced Verstappen into a long stint on soft tyres, prompting race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase to radio that the team would need one of Verstappen’s signature Mexico stints. Although Leclerc closed in, the extreme heat made following difficult, forcing Leclerc to back off for cooling. Verstappen admitted he feared his race was over when a safety car appeared just past the final corner before he could pit.
A subsequent red flag reset the field and allowed Verstappen to change tyres, though it also triggered a standing start—historically not Red Bull’s strongest area this season. Fortunately, the team delivered two strong starts that helped Verstappen maintain his lead to the finish.
Praise for the Strategy Team and Penalty Reactions
Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies praised the strategy team for instantly recovering from their execution issues at the US Grand Prix, highlighting their willingness to take calculated risks. Mekies stated that the pit wall reacted immediately upon learning of Leclerc’s impending pit stop, securing the best available option by utilizing the gap created by the penalty.
Reflecting on the penalty itself, Mekies admitted the team felt it was unusually lenient. Because Leclerc was already building a gap over Lewis Hamilton, Mekies noted that a five-second penalty felt light and surprising in its timing, but emphasized that the team simply focuses on racing with what is given.
The result marked Verstappen’s third win of the 2026 season, lifting him to second place in the world championship standings. Despite the milestone, Verstappen told Autosport that finishing second or third in the championship would mean nothing to him, as his sole focus remains winning the world title.
