Sainz Dominates Mexico With A Masterclass Drive

“Smooth operator” Carlos Sainz put on a masterclass drive at the lively Mexico Grand Prix, sticking his scarlet Ferrari at the top of the podium. The celebration, though, was imbued with bittersweet emotion, as Sainz reflected earlier on the fact that he won’t be behind the wheel for Ferrari’s title push next year, a campaign he’s been involved in building. Ferrari, though, fresh off their commanding 1-2 in Austin, carried that momentum into the second leg of the Americas triple-header, determined to keep their sights on the Constructors’ title. The prancing horses have jumped Red Bull for second in the standings, just 29 points off leaders McLaren. But where has this momentum come from?

Technical Upgrades

Team Principal Vasseur’s recent comment, “We are in the situation today that every single hundredth of a second is making a difference,” encapsulates the philosophy that has shaped Ferrari’s season.

In Austin, they did not formally announce any upgrades in Austin like their rivals but ended up finishing a dominant 1-2. However, Vasseur had stated, “It is not that because we are not declaring something that we are not bringing something,” he said. “We have to be clear that the upgrades are about the external shape.”

Insiders suggest the team has finally tuned into the nuances of aero elasticity of their front wing—a crucial factor this season—allowing them to address low-speed understeer while maintaining high-speed stability. Ferrari, once conservative on these critical elements, has since adapted to exploit the flexi front-wing specifications, which have proven essential in keeping them in the mix for victories.

Though Ferrari’s momentum is evident, their evolution is a story of gradual adaptation rather than sudden overhaul. The Imola upgrade, while promising, fell short in terms of results against Red Bull and McLaren, whose pace evolution has quietly overshadowed Ferrari at certain stages. Nevertheless, the technical tweaks to Ferrari’s rear wing, sidepods, and floor—first seen in Barcelona—have bolstered rear downforce, particularly in corner transitions, giving the team a vital advantage in circuits heavy with slow-speed turns.

The Drivers

At the recent US Grand Prix, Leclerc made his dominant victory look almost effortless. His consistency throughout the season, along with his victories at his home race in Monaco, at Ferrari’s home race in Monza, and in Austin last week, have hauled Ferrari into the constructors’ fight for the title.

However, at Mexico this weekend, the Monegasque’s lap was only good for fourth, one which he found dissatisfying.

“I’m disappointed, but I’m not surprised—I was struggling and not feeling well since FP2 with the car, that’s the way it is,” said Leclerc.

He admitted that qualifying in very low grip tracks wasn’t one of his strengths and that he found it difficult to find a balance, missing grip and feeling of the car. But the weekend wasn’t over yet. He turned the tides in the race, capitalizing off of the scrap between Lando Norris and Max Verstappen, managing to finish third at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez.

On the other hand, his teammate stood on the podium in Austin for the first time since his win in Australia earlier this year. And in Mexico, the Spaniard set two stunning laps worthy of pole position during qualifying. After losing the lead at the beginning of the race, he managed to capitalize on Verstappen when the Dutchman was recharging his battery. An overtake, and Sainz managed the race well since, crossing the line in a classic “smooth operation.”

A Bittersweet Win

What rings bittersweet is that Sainz will be leaving Ferrari at the end of the year. He has played a crucial role since joining the team from McLaren in 2021.

Sainz expressed a mix of pride and painful resignation over his departure. After grabbing his sixth pole position, he said, “It’s bittersweet because it gives me a feeling Ferrari might be in the fight for the world championship next year and I will not be there to use it.

“I feel like I’ve been quite a big part of this team during the last four years trying to prepare the team to fight for that championship next year.”

Ferrari’s back-to-back double podiums are a clear signal of the team’s impressive trajectory this season. Despite an up-and-down year, they secured four wins, with the victories in Australia, Monaco, Monza, and Austin showcasing the gains the Maranello squad has made under team principal Fred Vasseur. Since his 2023 appointment, Vasseur has focused on maintaining balance—avoiding overconfidence in victory and resilience in challenging times.

Ferrari may still have some catching up to do with McLaren, but their technical strides and drivers’ performances have presented a new standard of consistency. As they prepare for the final leg of the season, Ferrari’s quiet resolve speaks volumes, their ambition to reclaim the championship more evident with every turn.

And Sainz, who’s bound for Williams as Ferrari welcomes Lewis Hamilton to the fold, is determined to savor every remaining moment. The Spaniard’s aim, to win one more race before leaving the team, fulfilled.