P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Max Verstappen set 30 consecutive 1m 21s laps in his pursuit of Charles Leclerc in Mexico City.
Max Verstappen expressed his surprise at finishing on the podium at the Mexico City Grand Prix, given his weekend struggles, especially with rear grip issues throughout every session.
Despite leading the second practice on Friday, Red Bull did not have the fastest car for the first time since introducing the new floor in Monza, leading to Verstappen qualifying in fifth place.
In the race, he started on medium tires while his competitors opted for softs, leading to a challenging start and being pushed off the track at the first corner.
After switching to soft tires, Verstappen’s pace improved significantly, allowing him to catch up with Charles Leclerc despite a significant initial gap.
Despite setting 30 consecutive fast laps and gaining ground, a late Virtual Safety Car hindered his chances of claiming second place, forcing him to settle for third.
Verstappen’s podium finish helped him reduce his gap in the championship standings to 36 points, showing resilience and determination in a challenging weekend.
