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The Hunter’s Haul: Why Max Verstappen’s P3 in Mexico Was a Title-Chasing Masterclass
By Frederick Socorin · Updated
The 2025 Mexico City Grand Prix delivered an exceptional race, and while it was Lando Norris who stole the headlines with a dominant win, the true grit of the title fight was exemplified by Max Verstappen’s drive to P3.
Starting from fifth on the grid, Verstappen and Red Bull were clearly not on the pace they had enjoyed in their recent winning streak. Yet, his podium finish was far more valuable than a simple trophy—it was a strategic, championship-saving performance that keeps the pressure firmly on the McLaren duo.
The Weekend Struggle: A Different Kind of Challenge
Mexico has traditionally been a Verstappen fortress, but this year the high-altitude, low-grip conditions of the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez seemed to expose a weakness in the RB21’s setup.
- Qualifying Woes: Max himself admitted that the car felt like it had “no grip and no balance,” leading to a disappointing P5 grid spot, well behind his championship rivals.
- The Early Scraps: The start was typical Max—aggressive—but a brave move on the Ferraris saw him run wide, losing momentum and ending up in a tense, multi-lap battle that saw him briefly drop back.
It was clear the Red Bull was not the dominant machine of previous races. The real story of his Sunday was how he maximized the result despite the struggle.
Master Strategy: The One-Stop Gamble
Facing a dominant Lando Norris and a well-performing Ferrari, Red Bull’s pit wall made a brilliant call that proved decisive: a daring one-stop strategy.
- Going Long: Max was one of the few front-runners to start on the Medium tyre, running a long first stint and vaulting him up the order as others on Softs pitted earlier.
- The Charge: After his own stop on Lap 38 for Soft tyres, Max had the freshest rubber and clear air. He began a relentless charge, effortlessly clearing the midfield and setting his sights on Charles Leclerc for P2.
- A Near Miss: In the closing stages, the gap to the Ferrari was evaporating. With a Virtual Safety Car (VSC) deployed in the final laps, the chance to claim P2 was sadly neutralized. Yet, crossing the line in third place, a mere 0.7 seconds behind Leclerc, was the absolute maximum he could have extracted from the Red Bull that day.
The Championship Boost: Damage Limitation at its Best
The result was a victory of damage limitation. Lando Norris took the lead in the Drivers’ Championship, but by finishing ahead of Oscar Piastri (P5), Max made a crucial gain:
| Driver | Mexico GP Finish | Points Gained | Title Gap to Norris (After Mexico) |
| Lando Norris | P1 | 25 | 36 points |
| Max Verstappen | P3 | 15 | 36 points |
| Oscar Piastri | P5 | 10 | 35 points |
He minimized the points lost to Norris and actually gained points on Piastri, splitting the McLaren rivals and preventing a massive swing in the standings. When your car isn’t perfect, a podium finish is a statement of champion-caliber determination.
Max is now 36 points behind the leader, with four races left. The deficit is significant, but after clawing back a 104-point gap earlier this season, his P3 in Mexico City proved that the hunt for his fifth title is far from over. He’s the seasoned hunter, and he just secured a crucial haul of points on a difficult track.
🇧🇷 What’s Next? The São Paulo GP
The final phase of the championship kicks off at the São Paulo Grand Prix in Brazil. With a Sprint weekend on the cards, there are maximum points on offer, and Max is one of the most successful drivers at Interlagos.
The pressure is now on the championship leaders. Can the McLarens maintain their consistency, or will the reigning champion use the altitude and the Sprint format to launch another comeback?