© Getty ImagesThe Highs And Lows Of MexicoA look at the Team’s best and worst moments at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez in Mexico
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The Mexican Grand Prix has only been on the calendar since 2015, after a hiatus from the Formula One world since 1993, meaning the Team have only competed in nine Mexican Grands Prix, but there have been plenty of highs and lows for Oracle Red Bull Racing…
The 2016 Mexican Grand Prix provided both ends of the spectrum for the Team; Daniel Ricciardo claiming the first Mexican podium for the Bulls was a high that year, but it was at the cost of a podium for his teammate, Max Verstappen, who was stripped of 3rd place after a 5 second penalty.
Max crossed the finish line in P3, with Ferrari driver, Sebastian Vettel, finishing fourth, just under a second behind Max. Ricciardo passed the chequered flag 3.55s behind Vettel in P5.
Before the trophy ceremony, Max was handed a 5 second penalty for cutting a race corner and unfairly maintaining his lead on lap 68. This meant that Vettel was promoted to P3 on the podium, but it wasn’t the end of penalties that day. The stewards decided to instil a 10 second penalty for changing direction in the braking zone on Vettel’s race time, promoting Ricciardo up to P3 after the champagne had been sprayed. After all the penalties had been decided, the new classification cemented Ricciardo’s third place in the Drivers’ Championship that year.
Adrian Newey Celebrating Win In Mexico© Getty Images
When the Bulls returned to Mexico in 2017, it was Max’s turn to stand on the podium and this time on the top step. He qualified in P2, but was able to take polesitter Sebastian Vettel after just two turns. There was a coming together between the two, but Max came out unscathed and took the chequered flag 70 laps later. At that moment in time, it was just the third win of his career.
A year later in 2018 it was a similar story. Max started second on the grid with teammate Daniel Ricciardo on pole. At lights out Daniel got bogged down and Max took advantage, taking the lead, holding onto the position right to the chequered flag and securing his win.
Whilst Max was flying high in Mexico in 2017 & ‘18, it was tough in the trenches for Danny Ric.
In 2017 Daniel qualified in P7, but was given a 20-place grid penalty due to exceeding the number of power unit components used in a season. He looked good climbing up the leader board on the opening laps, but at the end of lap five he came into the pits due to trouble with his turbo and then had to retire from the race.
A year later, Daniel qualified on pole, but Max took the lead at the start. Daniel was holding P2 in the race, but with 10 laps remaining there was a puff of smoke from Daniel’s RB14 when his hydraulics failed, ending his race early making it his eighth retirement of the season.
That's One Happy Checo In Mexico© Vladimir Rys
Sergio Pérez made history at his home race on the first season he competed there as a Bull in 2021. Checo qualified fourth, but due to his ability to make his tyres last, he found himself leading the race when the other front runners needed to pit for fresh rubber. In that moment he became the first Mexican driver to lead a Formula One race at their home Grand Prix.
He made history again when he crossed the finish line and became the first Mexican to take a podium at their home race. There were tears on the rostrum as a visibly emotional Checo lifted his trophy and cheers from the thousands in the crowd who had come to see such a moment!
After two podiums in a row, Checo was going for the hat-trick. However, it wasn’t meant to be in 2023. Checo started in P5 and at lights out he powered off the line and appeared to get his front wing ahead of the other drivers as he took the outside line. As Checo went to turn into the first corner he misjudged Charles Leclerc’s braking point and collided with the Ferrari driver.
His RB19 left the ground and came crashing back down. He was able to get back to the pits, but the car unfortunately had to be retired. Checo’s frustration was clear for all to see with his head in his hands as he sat in the car. After the race though, Checo defended what had happened by saying: “If you don’t go for a gap, what’s the point in you being here?”
After winning in 2017 and ’18, Max went on a rampage and has won the last three races in Mexico. In 2021 he had to get in front of both Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas to take the win. The following year he was on pole and only dropped out the lead when he entered the pits. After all drivers had completed their stops, Max was back in the lead and took the chequered flag on the top step. And last year Max started behind the two Ferrari drivers, but he got ahead of Sainz and then took the inside line on the first corner and then poached the lead away from Leclerc.
That win made it three in a row and a total of five wins in Mexico for the Dutchman, the most of any Formula One driver.
The Bulls will be looking to take home some more silverware from Mexico this weekend and will be hitting the track for the first time on Friday at 12:30 local time (11:30UTC). Make sure you keep checking our Race Hub all weekend for the latest news, pictures and videos coming from the track!
