Race 20 - Mexican GP 2024 [Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez]

[Nitrodaze]

We head to the rarefied track of Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez for the Mexican GP. Amid the controversy of the steward's verdict on the Verstappen Vs Norris off-track excursion that saw Norris suffer a championship punitive five-second penalty at the US COTA GP. For an incident that could have a devastating effect on the McLaren driver championship hopes in the long run, the stewards attracted criticism from many quarters for what seemed like a lack of sensitivity for the significance of the occasion.

The takeaway from COTA was that Redbull has found its mojo and is set to be very troublesome for McLaren. But COTA had other things to reveal which could play out in an interesting way in Mexico. Firstly, McLaren would need to bounce back with a one-two of their own to see off the ever-looming challenge from Ferrari. With 48 points between Ferrari and McLaren, the fight for the constructors championship is not a done deal for McLaren. With the form of Verstappen at COTA, a Redbull revival is not out of the question as the 40 points between Redbull and McLaren are surmountable by Redbull.

Mexico is an important race as it is an early indicator of where the momentum is for the remainder of the season. Who has the bit between their teeth at this time? Is McLaren drifting backwards at these crucial last races? Is Ferrari surging forward? Is Redbull's showing at COTA a flash in the pan? These are the questions that would be answered at the Autodromo Henandez Rodriguez.
At the end of this race, we would have the answer of whether the Drvier's Championship is still available to Norris.

Whatever happens, we are assured that the 2025 season is going to be a cracking one.

[Nitrodaze]

McLaren challenges Norris' penalty. Stewards are reviewing the case today. What are the chances they would change their action? Well, the new evidence found by McLaren must be quite compelling for them to challenge.

[Nitrodaze]

Read this article to see why the steward's decision was correctly applied to Norris at COTA.
https://medium.com/motor-racing/the-...e-0fac2f0fbab5

[airshifter]

Some of us knew the rule was applied correctly when it happened, including a number of the commentators. Others had to catch up to reality.




Lando not having the best day of qually, and with two runs at it in Q3 still ends up behind Max. Not that this is always a terrible thing, as the tow in Mexico can be mighty, and how all the cars get off the line might determine who gets that tow. I'd say even Charles has a shot at exiting turn one in the lead, and really maybe even George.

Both of Carlo's laps were mighty. A well deserved pole. Max did well to stick it in second after having that first lap deleted, but I think the Ferrari's have the race pace. But with the track still changing, it could be a crap shoot who really has the race pace once the track is fully rubbered in.


And though I'm not a huge fan of the circuit overall, I think the Mexican fans can easily be compared with the Japanese fans for the enthusiasm and overall scene at the race. Though they have less DRS flap hats and more huge sombreros, it seems like a crowd of real racing fans that love the spectacle of the sport. The cheers through the stadium section are fantastic.