In the greater scope of 2021, the Mexican Grand Prix will not be remembered for producing the most exhilarating on-track racing.
At the head of the field the lack of edge-of-your-seat entertainment was due to Max Verstappen’s utter dominance of proceedings. At least in part. Mercedes would’ve been buoyed with a front row lockout in Saturday qualifying by Valtteri Bottas and Lewis Hamilton. But the elation was short lived as the start of the race saw Verstappen take full advantage of the slipstream. Add to that a lot more bravery on the brakes than the Merc pair and you had Verstappen sailing around the outside of both of them in turn one.
The double overtake in turn one would be the hardest that Verstappen would work all afternoon as he disappeared into the distance. If losing the lead at lights out wasn’t bad enough for Bottas he was also tapped into a spin, at the first corner, by McLaren’s Daniel Ricciardo. While most of the blame for the clash would ordinarily be attributed to Ricciardo Bottas braked so early into turn one that it likely caught Ricciardo off guard. Speculation abounds as to why Bottas braked so inexplicably early, with the chief theory being to allow Hamilton through. Whatever the reason just as in Hungary Bottas’s lack of courage at crucial moments has again made him the master of his own downfall.
Though qualifying presented Mercedes as rapid it was not the case in race trim. Hamilton and Merc were planless as Verstappen disappeared into the distance. It is a staggering observation that Hamilton, once not in the lead of a race, transforms into a sullen driver seemingly not able to unleash the experience and talent of a driver many cite as the ‘greatest of all time’. There’s no question that Hamilton would’ve pushed his car in the race. But where is the impossible result seemingly conjured from nothing? The greatest champions have always been defined by winning races they has no business winning. But this does not appear to be in the make-up of Lewis Hamilton. While he is an incredible front-runner it just doesn’t seem like it will be enough in 2021. Mind you, there is still a long way to go with a heck of a lot of points on the table. But as it stands there’s not much coming from Hamilton that suggests he has any answer for Verstappen. And that is one of the most surprising narratives of the season.
There is nothing like home support and there is nothing like Checo Perez racing in front of a fervent Mexican crowd. The spectators created a colourful cacophony of support for Perez who became the first ever Mexican driver to lead the Mexican Grand Prix and to stand on the podium. For a while it looked for all money that Perez would take second but Hamilton just held on to the position in the closing stages of the race. Nevertheless, it was a day and a scene that Perez won’t soon forget.
In fourth Pierre Gasly ran a fairly anonymous but still impressive race. The Ferrari duo of Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz was fifth and sixth with an important haul of points over McLaren for third in the constructor’s championship. Seb Vettel was seventh for Aston Martin ahead of former teammate and current Alfa Romeo driver Kimi Raikkonen in eighth. Fernando Alonso was ninth ahead of Lando Norris who fought his way through from the back of the grid after serving having served penalties for a power unit change.
In a bid to nick one point off Verstappen Mercedes pitted Bottas for fresh tyres at the end of the race and ensured fastest lap. It was scant consolation for Bottas who finished a lowly fifteenth.
The day belonged to an imperious Max Verstappen who cantered to yet another victory in 2021. Nineteen points is the gap to Hamilton and some would suggest that the writing might be on the wall. But Verstappen himself would be the first to tamp down any such proclamations. This version of Verstappen is not only blindingly quick but also calmness personified. There’s little doubt that he is ready and able to be a world champion.
