Ferrari capitalises as Verstappen and Norris rivalry intensifies

The Mexican Grand Prix provided plenty of excitement. The team from Maranello confirmed that their one-two finish in Austin was not just a fleeting success. They have a fantastic opportunity to secure their first Constructors' Championship in 16 years. McLaren remains a significant obstacle, but the direct battle between Lando Norris and Max Verstappen for the driver's championship effectively diminishes the team's chances from Woking.

The most vital moment of Sunday's competition was the clash between the Red Bull and McLaren drivers, which was not a clean fight once again. Max attempted to use the same defensive tactics as the previous week. On the approach to turn 4, he once more pushed Norris off the track. Lando cut the corner and positioned himself ahead of Max. Not wanting a repeat of the race in Austin, he chose to give the position back to Verstappen, and Max deliberately forced the Brit off the track, with both ending up on the sidelines. The stewards showed no mercy and imposed a 20-second penalty on the Red Bull driver.

After the US Grand Prix, there were discussions in the paddock regarding unclear guidelines on attacking and defending positions on the track. Some suggested that the regulations needed amending, while Max openly stated that his driving did not breach the rules but rather made the most of the current regulations. The debate over officiating influenced the referees in Mexico. While there seems to be no doubt about the penalty for deliberately pushing Lando in turn 8, the assessment of the incident in turn 4 remains unclear to me. Here, it's worth recalling the clash between these two in Austin, which was strikingly similar. Then, Max, as the defending driver, delayed braking and pushed Norris off the track, ending up on the sidelines himself, yet he was not penalised. In Mexico, Verstappen behaved similarly, staying within the track limits and receiving a 10-second penalty.

After the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez race, drivers and fans have more questions than answers. I believe the stewards delivered a fairer verdict this time (although I think the penalty for the "turn four" incident should have been a maximum of 5 seconds). Unfortunately, there is a clear lack of consistency in such assessments, which needs to change. It's hard for me to believe this will happen before this season ends, but by 2025, the guidelines must become clearer. Meanwhile, I strongly sense that the rest of this season won't be without controversy. The tension is rising between Norris and Verstappen, and we've learned well how Max can behave in such situations, especially in the 2021 season.

The Ferrari team flawlessly capitalised on the clash of title contenders in Mexico. Sainz and Leclerc found themselves in the lead, creating a chance for a second consecutive one-two finish. When Max headed to the pit lane on the 17th lap, Lando finally had a clear track ahead and could begin clawing back lost time. Once again, the Brit utilised the strongest asset of his car, its outstanding performance on hard tyres, and in the latter stage of the race, he set a remarkable pace. The first man he had to pass was Charles Leclerc in second. The Monegasque tried to maintain similar lap times for a long time, but ultimately, his tyres began to give way. With eight laps remaining and Norris right on his tail, Leclerc made a mistake exiting Peraltada, miraculously saving the car from crashing into the barrier. Lando gained the position but could only dream of victory. Sainz's advantage was too great, and the Spaniard crossed the finish line first.

Despite the Ferrari drivers not securing a second one-two, Fred Vasseur has reasons to smile. Ferrari finds itself ahead of Red Bull in the Constructors' standings, and their gap to McLaren is only 29 points. As a long-time Formula 1 enthusiast, I know well what most Tifosi are thinking. Despite the team's favourable position, they try not to get their hopes too high, remembering how their beloved team has historically squandered championship chances. However, in my opinion, Ferrari has had the best chance of getting the constructors' title since 2008. In the final phase of the season, they have a formidable car. If Leclerc and Sainz maintain their current form, and Max and Lando continue to battle each other, it could hand them the championship on a platter.

Special thanks from Ferrari this weekend are due to Piastri and Perez. Both drivers were eliminated in Q1 during Saturday's qualifying, significantly weakening their teams for Sunday's race. While Oscar can be forgiven, as it was only his second mishap this year, there are simply no words left for Checo. He compromised himself once more, this time in front of his home crowd. He started the race from the back of the grid, misplaced himself on the grid, received a penalty for it, damaged his car in a clash with Lawson, and finished in 17th place. I am convinced that if Tsunoda and Lawson were to replace Perez even in Brazil, they wouldn't perform worse. Red Bull's management lacks courage, and the situation is evident – the Mexican driving is the main reason for Red Bull's disappointing position in the standings. Suffice it to say that Max has scored 212 more points than Sergio this year.

While the Red Bull team may be disappointed with losing their position to Ferrari, Verstappen significantly benefits from the current balance of power. Leclerc trails him by 71 points. Even if the Monegasque won all the remaining races of the year, Max would have to consistently finish outside the top five – a scenario hard to envisage. The Dutchman's primary task is to fend off Norris's attacks and ensure that the solid 47-point lead isn't jeopardised by collisions, retiring from a race, or penalties for unsportsmanlike conduct. Nonetheless, we know that Max has faced bigger challenges in his career. Lando is not as formidable an opponent as Lewis Hamilton was, so securing a fourth title this year seems to be a relatively straightforward task.