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Weekend context
Mexico City followed Austin with Ferrari carrying real momentum and McLaren still leading the constructors' table. The altitude-sensitive weekend mattered because it tested cooling, traction, braking stability, and race management under unusual load conditions. It was another chance to see whether Ferrari's recent strength could keep turning the championship picture more complicated.
Qualifying summary
Sainz took pole with a 1:15.946 ahead of Verstappen and Norris, putting Ferrari in prime position at a circuit where launch phase and early-race track position are often decisive. The result also underlined how balanced Ferrari looked in late 2024 across very different track demands.
Race result at the front
| Pos | Driver | Team |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Carlos Sainz | Ferrari |
| 2 | Lando Norris | McLaren |
| 3 | Charles Leclerc | Ferrari |
Sainz won in 1:40:55.800, Norris finished second, and Leclerc completed the podium while also taking fastest lap in 1:18.336. Ferrari again showed it could convert front-row pace into a controlled Sunday, while Norris continued to chip away at Verstappen's lead by maximizing the result in a high-pressure phase of the season.
Why the result mattered
Mexico City kept the drivers' title mathematically alive for Norris a little longer and squeezed the constructors' fight even tighter. Ferrari's second major win in two rounds confirmed it had become a full late-season factor, not just an opportunistic spoiler. That made Round 20 one of the clearest signs that 2024's closing phase would stay multi-team deep.
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