Verstappen Surprised by Mexican GP Podium After Challenging Weekend

Max Verstappen admitted his surprise at securing a podium finish at the Mexico City Grand Prix, especially given the difficulties he faced throughout the weekend. Despite topping Friday's second practice, Verstappen consistently reported a lack of rear grip, marking the first time since Monza's new floor introduction that Red Bull wasn't the fastest car on the track.

Why it matters:

• Verstappen's unexpected podium highlights his exceptional racecraft and Red Bull's strategic flexibility, even when the car isn't performing optimally. This ability to extract results from challenging situations is crucial in a tight championship battle.
• The struggles faced by Red Bull in Mexico, particularly with rear grip, could indicate a potential vulnerability for the team on certain track characteristics, offering a glimmer of hope for rivals.

The Details:

• Qualifying Struggles: Verstappen qualified a disappointing fifth, several tenths behind pole-sitter Lando Norris, a rare occurrence for the dominant Red Bull driver.
• Strategic Start: Verstappen opted for medium compound tires at the start, while most direct competitors chose softs. Despite a good launch, he was forced off track at Turn 1.
• Mid-Race Turnaround: After battling Lewis Hamilton, Verstappen pitted early for soft tires. This compound proved to be significantly more effective for him, transforming his pace.
• Exceptional Pace: Verstappen then carved through the field, astonishingly closing a 15-second gap to Charles Leclerc. He notably set 30 consecutive laps in the 1m 21s range.
• Virtual Safety Car Impact: A late Virtual Safety Car prevented Verstappen from potentially snatching second place from Leclerc, forcing him to settle for third.

The big picture:

Even with a challenging weekend and a car that wasn't at its usual dominant best, Verstappen's ability to secure a podium finish demonstrates his relentless pursuit of points and his capacity to perform under pressure. This resilience is a hallmark of a championship contender and keeps him firmly in the hunt, reducing his deficit in the standings to 36 points despite the car's issues.

Reactions:

Verstappen expressed his surprise: "Personally, I didn't expect to be on the podium. And I think even in the first stint, it was not really looking like it." He noted the soft tire compound was a "better compound to race on" and made the car feel "a bit better," ultimately making the P3 finish "really good on, yeah, for us a difficult weekend."