Sainz wins as Norris closes gap at the top

Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz took an emotional win in the Mexico City Grand Prix on Sunday after Red Bull’s Formula One leader Max Verstappen was twice penalised for clashes with title rival Lando Norris and finished sixth. McLaren’s Norris, who called Verstappen ‘dangerous’ during the race, finished second to slash the triple world champion’s overall advantage from 57 points to 47 with four rounds remaining.

Charles Leclerc, caught and passed by Norris with nine laps to go to deny Ferrari a second successive one-two, was third and took a bonus point for the fastest lap.

The win was a first for Ferrari in Mexico since 1990 and fourth of Sainz’s career.

“I really wanted to win this one. I needed it for myself. I said I wanted one more win for Ferrari and to do it here with this mega crowd is incredible,” said the Spaniard, who is leaving for Williams at the end of the season.

Verstappen, who pitted from third place to serve two 10-second penalties on lap 27, had to fight back from 15th after starting on the front row with Sainz on pole position.

The Dutch driver had won five of the last six races in Mexico, including the last three editions, but has now not won for 10 races in a row.

Still the clear title favourite, he sounded unconcerned and unrepentant.

“The biggest problem that I have is that today was a bad day in terms of race pace,” said Verstappen.