Sainz wins Mexico Grand Prix as Norris tightens c'ship fight

Associated Press Mexico: City Carlos Sainz Jr. got the win he desperately wanted in the final days of his Ferrari career. The Formula 1 title race, meanwhile, grew a lot more contentious. Sainz won the Mexico City Grand Prix on Sunday and Lando Norris closed the gap on Max Verstappen after another furious battle that cost the reigning three-time series champion three penalties and shaved 10 points off Verstappen's lead in the standing. Sianz not only won but finished on the podium for the first time in Mexico City.

It was the fourth win of his career, and second of the season for the driver who is being replaced by Hamilton next year at Ferrari. The Spaniard had never before won two races in a season. “Honestly, I really wanted this one,” said Sainz, who sounded emotional on his radio on the cool-down lap. “I needed it for myself, I wanted to get it done. I've been saying for a while I wanted to get one more win before leaving Ferrari, and to do it here in front of this mega crowd, it is incredible.” Verstappen started second and took the lead from polesitter Sainz on the start, but the first lap quickly drew a caution when contact between Yuki Tsunoda and Alex Albon caused Tsundona to crash and Albon to retire with damage to his car.

The restart was spicy with the Ferraris racing Verstappen and Norris for position. And for a second consecutive week, the title contenders clashed. Norris was penalized last week. This time it cost Max two penalties totaling 20 seconds. After the race, the FIA also penalized Verstappen two points to give him six for the 12-month period. “I knew what to expect. I don't want to expect such a thing, because I respect Max a lot as a driver, but I was waiting to expect something like this,” Norris said of Verstappen's driving.

“Not very clean driving in my opinion, but I avoided it.” Norris was penalized a week ago at the United States Grand Prix for forcing Verstappen off track a punishment that gave the final spot on the podium to the three-time reigning world champion. It also allowed Verstappen to widen his lead in the driver standings to 57 points before the race Sunday. The tables were turned at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez when Verstappen was given a 10-second penalty for banging wheels with Norris and forcing Norris off the track.