Sports · Motorsport · 2 hrs ago
Red Bull's pit-stop call helped Verstappen win in Mexico
Max Verstappen won the Mexico City Grand Prix, taking his sixth victory at the circuit.
Red Bull brought him in to pit on the same lap as Ferrari's Charles Leclerc, who had received a five-second penalty.
Verstappen had started on medium tyres and would normally have stayed out longer, but Red Bull chose track position over a later stop.
At the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, following another car closely can be difficult and overtaking is challenging, so rejoining behind Leclerc could have cost Verstappen the lead.
The decision meant Verstappen had to manage a long stint on soft tyres, but he kept his advantage and took the win.
He joked that the race should be called the “Maxico” Grand Prix, and he heads to Interlagos second in the standings, still competing with Lewis Hamilton for the runner-up spot.
Max Verstappen won the Mexico City Grand Prix for the sixth time, extending his record at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez.
After the race, he joked that the event should be renamed the “Maxico” Grand Prix.
Verstappen started fifth and took the lead after Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc contested the opening stages.
Red Bull’s decision to pit Verstappen when Leclerc stopped helped protect track position.
Verstappen also reported inconsistent engine braking issues during the race.
- Who
- Max Verstappen, driving for Red Bull.
- What
- He won the Mexico City Grand Prix for the sixth time and joked that it should be renamed the “Maxico” Grand Prix.
- When
- Sunday; the articles were published on November 2 and 3, 2026.
- Where
- The Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez in Mexico City.
- Why
- Red Bull’s strategy helped preserve track position. Verstappen said he had often enjoyed good races at the circuit.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Verstappen started fifth on the grid and moved into the lead as Hamilton and Leclerc contested the opening stages.
Red Bull pitted Verstappen when Leclerc stopped, prioritising track position.
Verstappen won for the sixth time at the circuit and suggested calling the event the “Maxico” Grand Prix.
- Mexico wins
- Six
- Starting position
- Fifth on the grid
- Race distance
- 71 laps
- Team
- Red Bull
- Suggested event name
- Maxico” Grand Prix
4 sources
Red Bull's key strategy call behind Verstappen's Mexico win
How Red Bull's crucial strategy call helped Max Verstappen win the "Maxico Grand Prix"
Max Verstappen offers hilarious name change suggestion for Mexico GP
‘They should call it the Maxico Grand Prix!’ - Verstappen revels in sixth Mexico City win
What people are saying
Yeah, they should actually call it the ‘Maxico’ Grand Prix. That would be great.
I think Charles just pulled away. I could not really stay with him,
I honestly love being here. I love the city, I love the environment, I love the fans.