The 2024 Mexico City Grand Prix delivered an exciting and memorable race at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, where Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz claimed a well-earned victory, marking his fourth career win in Formula 1. Sainz's triumph came after an intense start that saw him lose and then reclaim the lead from Max Verstappen, setting the stage for an action-packed event with numerous battles and penalties shaping the final outcome.

The race began with Verstappen surging past Sainz from the start, taking advantage of a powerful launch. Sainz managed to momentarily retake the lead by cutting across the grass but ultimately conceded it back to Verstappen. Meanwhile, a collision between Yuki Tsunoda and Alex Albon at Turn 1 triggered an early Safety Car, which bunched up the field and added drama from the outset. Tsunoda was forced to retire after crashing into the barriers, and Albon, though initially able to continue, later retired due to the collision's impact. With the Safety Car on track, Verstappen led the field, with Sainz, Norris, Leclerc, Hamilton, and Russell forming the pursuing pack.

Once racing resumed on Lap 6, Verstappen initially maintained a comfortable lead. However, by Lap 9, Sainz closed in and launched a decisive move at Turn 1, seizing the lead from Verstappen. Soon after, Norris joined the fray, and Verstappen found himself locked in a fierce battle with his championship rival. This duel between the McLaren and Red Bull drivers turned contentious, with Verstappen receiving two 10-second penalties for his aggressive moves on Norris, hindering his chances for a podium finish.

The penalties allowed Charles Leclerc to slip into second position, giving Ferrari a chance to control the race at the front. From that point, both Ferrari drivers, Sainz and Leclerc, maintained their positions with minimal challenges. However, as the race neared its final laps, Norris began closing the gap to Leclerc, eventually capitalizing on a slight error by the Monegasque driver and securing second place. Despite Norris's late charge, Sainz remained in control and crossed the line 4.7 seconds ahead of the Briton.

Leclerc’s third-place finish ensured a double Ferrari podium, underscoring the team’s strong performance. Behind the Ferrari and McLaren drivers, Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton and George Russell battled each other in the closing stages, with Hamilton ultimately taking fourth place over his teammate. Verstappen, after his penalties and a series of recovery maneuvers, finished in sixth, a disappointing result for the Red Bull star on a challenging day for the team.

McLaren’s Oscar Piastri delivered an impressive drive, climbing from 17th on the grid to finish in seventh. His steady advancement through the field added to McLaren’s strong showing, with Norris securing second place. Kevin Magnussen and Nico Hulkenberg also had a successful day for Haas, finishing in seventh and ninth, respectively, while Alpine’s Pierre Gasly rounded out the points in 10th.

Lance Stroll was Aston Martin’s top finisher in 11th, narrowly missing out on points. Williams’ Franco Colapinto initially finished in 12th, but a 10-second penalty for causing a collision with Liam Lawson dropped him to 14th. Esteban Ocon, starting from the pit lane due to a pre-race engine change, managed to finish 12th for Alpine. Zhou Guanyu and Valtteri Bottas crossed the line in 15th and 13th, respectively.

It was a challenging home race for Sergio Perez, who faced an investigation for a false start, earning a five-second penalty for positioning errors in his pit box. Despite his efforts to recover, Perez ultimately finished as the last classified driver in 17th, a tough outcome for the Mexican crowd favorite. Fernando Alonso’s 400th Grand Prix ended in disappointment with a mechanical retirement, while Albon and Tsunoda also saw their races cut short in the early chaos of Lap 1.

The 2024 Mexico City Grand Prix proved eventful, with Ferrari’s victory, Norris’s tenacity, and Verstappen’s struggles making for a thrilling race. The results bring fresh energy to the season’s standings, showcasing a tight battle among the top teams as they push toward the final races of the year.