Max Verstappen pushed hard in the second half of the Mexico City Grand Prix, but this time, he couldn’t take the win. For the first time in five races, a McLaren driver beat him, and for the first time in six, it was Lando Norris who came out on top.
The reigning world champion started from the third row and still managed to finish on the podium. He now sits only 36 points behind Norris in the championship standings. That’s a big step closer to the title fight.
Verstappen began the race on medium tyres. His plan worked well at first, letting him close in on Charles Leclerc’s Ferrari near the end. But just as things were heating up, a virtual safety car came out and ruined his chance to grab second place.
After the race, Verstappen told Sky Sports that what matters most now is finding more speed. He said McLaren still seems stronger in tyre management, even in the races Red Bull won. So, when McLaren’s car is faster overall, it’s tough to fight them.
Talking about what could’ve been an exciting battle with Leclerc, Verstappen said his soft tyres were wearing out and the safety car timing just didn’t go his way. Still, he said he enjoys racing Leclerc and their battles are always fun and respectful.
Even though Verstappen didn’t win, he still closed the gap to Norris by four points. Oscar Piastri finished fifth, which helped Max stay in the fight. It shows that even on a not-so-perfect weekend, Verstappen can still land a podium finish, proof of how consistent and skilled he is.
Looking ahead, the next few races might play right into his hands. The last four tracks of the 2025 season, Brazil, Las Vegas, Qatar, and Abu Dhabi, are all places where Verstappen has won before. He even stormed from 17th to victory in Brazil last year under heavy rain.
So, while the title isn’t his yet, it’s far from over. With tracks he loves coming up and his form staying strong, it would be foolish to count Verstappen out of this thrilling championship chase.
