Verstappen Jokes Mexico Should Be Renamed 'Maxico' After Record Sixth Win

Max Verstappen marked another dominant afternoon in Mexico City by turning his latest win into a punchline, suggesting the venue be renamed the "Maxico" Grand Prix after claiming a record sixth victory at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez.

Why it matters:

Mexico has quietly become Verstappen's most productive hunting ground. The sixth win there is a new personal record, making the circuit the track where he has triumphed more than anywhere else in his career — a notable footnote for a driver whose wins are otherwise spread across the calendar.

The details:

• Verstappen lined up fifth but a flying start put him in the fight immediately, with the lead arriving once Charles Leclerc served a time penalty.
• He controlled the race from there, extending a Mexico record that now stands alone in his career.
• "They should actually call it the 'Maxico' Grand Prix," he said. "That would be great. I honestly love being here. I love the city, I love the environment, I love the fans."
• He offered little technical explanation for the run: "Sometimes your car just comes alive... It's just always come together for me here, and, of course, I happily take that."
• The win was not frictionless. Verstappen complained over the radio about engine braking and later described an inconsistent power unit.
  • "The engine just decides by itself what to do, to be honest," he said. "Maybe I need to have a conversation with the engine before going into the race."
  • He pointed to the conditions, noting the turbocharger and ancillaries are tough to keep "spot on" in Mexico's high-altitude heat.

What's next:

The engine braking gremlins are the item to watch. Verstappen described the behaviour as random rather than chronic, but a power unit that makes its own decisions mid-race is precisely the kind of margin-eroding variable that bites in a title fight. For now, Mexico remains his personal playground — and he is happy to lean into the joke.