The Mexican Grand Prix has never had a home winner, but Carlos Sainz Jnr became the first native speaker of the local language to triumph in the 24th edition of the event last weekend.
It’s the first time in his career Sainz has won more than one race in a season. Five other drivers have already done the same this year, making this the first season since 1981 to feature six multiple winners.
That feat was never previously achieved before 1981. In order to break the record this year, George Russell needs to win one more race or any other non-winner needs to win twice.
However it is worth noting the 1981 record was set in a 15-round season. The Mexican Grand Prix was the 20th of 24 events this year.
*Season in progress
Sainz’s win was the fourth of his career, putting him level with Eddie Irvine (who, like Sainz, scored all his wins for Ferrari), Bruce McLaren (who founded the team Sainz previously drove for) and Dan Gurney. The Ferrari driver also took his sixth pole position, putting him level with Phil Hill, Emerson Fittipaldi, Jean-Pierre Jabouille, Alan Jones, Carlos Reutemann and Ralf Schumacher.
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Norris claimed second place from Charles Leclerc late in the race. However for the first time since the Monaco Grand Prix neither he nor McLaren team mate Oscar Piastri led a lap.
Leclerc beat his team mate to the fastest lap of the race, equalling Norris’ career tally of 10. They are level with Graham Hill – who won his second world championship in the 1968 Mexican Grand Prix – John Surtees and Mario Andretti.
First, third and fastest lap for Ferrari meant they overtook Red Bull for second place in the constructors’ championship. They are only 29 points behind leaders McLaren and could easily overhaul them this weekend, where twice as many points are available.
Max Verstappen saw his run of three consecutive Mexican Grand Prix wins come to an end. However he did lead a lap for the first time since the Italian Grand Prix.
Kevin Magnussen scored his best result of the season so far with seventh place. Team mate Nico Hulkenberg finished ninth, and now has 31 points, the highest score by a Haas driver since the 2018 season.
Haas pulled out a 10-point lead over closest rivals RB in the fight for sixth place. Alpine picked up their first point since the Dutch Grand Prix with Pierre Gasly in 10th place.
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