Max Verstappen Sets New Formula 1 Record With Victory at Mexico Grand Prix

• Formula 1 headed to the capital of Mexico for round 20 of the 2023 season
• The race at the Autodrome Hermanos Rodriguez circuit was an eventful one
• Max Verstappen set a new Formula 1 record with his victory on the night

Max Verstappen secured another victory in an eventful Mexican Grand Prix, successfully fending off early challenges from Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc.

The reigning world champion started the race in third position, trailing the two Ferrari drivers.

However, the Dutch driver made light work of his starting position as he clinically threaded his Red Bull through the eye of both Italian cars for the lead en route to what would be his 51st win.

The Mexican Grand Prix, which saw an early exit for local hero Sergio Perez due to a first-turn crash and a red flag after Kevin Magnussen banged his car into the wall on lap 33, ultimately witnessed the Dutch driver coast to a relatively smooth victory, which would see him achieve a new Formula 1 record.

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Verstappen sets new F1 record

The 26-year-old driver, who had already equalled a record with 15 wins in the previous 18 races of the season, achieved yet another milestone.

According to ESPN F1, Verstappen secured his fifth victory at the Autodrome Hermanos Rodriguez, becoming the first driver to claim 16 wins in a single Formula 1 season.

This remarkable feat came just weeks after he became the first F1 driver to win three sprint races in a single season, as reported by Sky Sports.

Since his victory at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on December 12, 2021, Verstappen has accumulated an impressive total of 32 wins, matching the career wins of Fernando Alonso.

Notably, this latest triumph also tied him with the legendary four-time World Champion, Alain Prost in victories. However, it's worth noting that it took the Frenchman 199 race starts to reach 51 wins, whereas Verstappen achieved the same milestone in just 182 starts.

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To put this in perspective, Prost achieved his last victory in 1993 at Hockenheim at the age of 38, while the Dutch champion celebrated his 51st victory just last month at age 26.

Verstappen will now shift his focus to the Brazilian Grand Prix at the Interlagos, aiming to further extend his remarkable accomplishments in what can only be described as a record-breaking season.

Perez crashes at Mexico Grand Prix

Sports Brief previously reported on Perez having a race to forget at his home country's Grand Prix.

The Mexican driver only lasted to the first turn as he was tagged by Ferrari driver, Charles Leclerc.

Perez was almost reduced to tears upon realising that he would have to retire from his home race.