2023 Mexico City Grand Prix Explained

Type:F1
Grand Prix:Mexico City
Previous Round:2023 United States Grand Prix
Next Round:2023 São Paulo Grand Prix
Details Ref:[1]
Date:29 October
Year:2023
Official Name:Formula 1 Gran Premio de la Ciudad de México 2023
Race No:19
Season No:22
Location:Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez
Mexico City, Mexico
Course:Permanent racing facility
Course Km:4.304
Course Mi:2.674
Distance Laps:71
Distance Km:305.354
Distance Mi:189.738
Attendance:400,639[2]
Weather:Sunny
Pole Driver:Charles Leclerc
Pole Country:MON
Pole Team:Ferrari
Pole Time:1:17.166
Fast Driver:Lewis Hamilton
Fast Country:GBR
Fast Team:Mercedes
Fast Time:1:21.334
Fast Lap:71
First Driver:Max Verstappen
First Country:NED
First Team:Red Bull Racing-Honda RBPT
Second Driver:Lewis Hamilton
Second Country:GBR
Second Team:Mercedes
Third Driver:Charles Leclerc
Third Country:MON
Third Team:Ferrari

The 2023 Mexico City Grand Prix (officially known as the Formula 1 Gran Premio de la Ciudad de México 2023) was a Formula One motor race held on 29 October 2023 at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez in Mexico City, Mexico. It was the nineteenth round of the 2023 Formula One World Championship. Charles Leclerc took pole position and finished third in the race. Lewis Hamilton finished in second behind Max Verstappen, who took his sixteenth victory of the season, a record in Formula One. Daniel Ricciardo, driving for AlphaTauri, qualified in fourth and finished in seventh, the team's best results of the season for both sessions.

Background

The event was held across the weekend of 27–29 October. It was the nineteenth round of the 2023 Formula One World Championship, the 23rd Formula One Grand Prix at this circuit, and the third held under the name of the Mexico City Grand Prix, having previously been titled the Mexican Grand Prix.[3] [4]

Championship standings before the race

Coming into the weekend, Max Verstappen led the Drivers' Championship with 466 points. He led his teammate Sergio Pérez by 226 points and Lewis Hamilton by a further 39 points. Hamilton was ahead of Fernando Alonso in fourth by 18 points, with Carlos Sainz Jr. in fifth, 8 points behind Alonso. Red Bull Racing led the Constructors' Championship with 706 points, 362 points ahead of Mercedes and a further 22 points ahead of Ferrari. McLaren, in fourth, was behind Ferrari by 80 points and ahead of Aston Martin, in fifth, by 6 points.[5]

Entrants

The drivers and teams were the same as the season entry list with the exception of Daniel Ricciardo, who replaced Nyck de Vries at AlphaTauri starting at the Hungarian Grand Prix.[6] [7] During the first practice session, five teams fielded alternate drivers who had not raced in more than two Grands Prix, as required by the Formula One regulations:

Bearman, Vesti and Hadjar made their Formula One practice debut.[8]

Tyre choices

Tyre supplier Pirelli brought the C3, C4 and C5 tyre compounds (designated hard, medium, and soft, respectively), which are three softest compounds in their dry tyre range, for teams to use at the event. The previous iteration of the race had used compounds that were one step harder. Pirelli also provided two sets per driver of an experimental C4 compound that was trialed during the first two free practice sessions.[9] [10]

Practice

Three free practice sessions were held for the event. The first free practice session was held on 27 October 2023, at 12:30 local time (UTC−6). Max Verstappen topped the session ahead of Alexander Albon and Sergio Pérez.[11] The second free practice session was held on 27 October 2023, at 17:00. Max Verstappen topped the session ahead of Lando Norris and Charles Leclerc.[12] The third free practice session was held on 28 October 2023, at 11:30. Max Verstappen topped the session ahead of Alexander Albon and Sergio Pérez.[13]

Qualifying

Qualifying was held on 28 October 2023, at 15:00 local time (UTC−6).[1]

Qualifying report

Charles Leclerc took pole position ahead of his teammate Carlos Sainz Jr. and Max Verstappen. Verstappen, Lewis Hamilton and teammate George Russell were all investigated for impeding, but no penalties were given to them.[14]

Fernando Alonso spun in Q1, bringing out a yellow flag in the first sector. Logan Sargeant could not set a lap time; he joined Lando Norris, Lance Stroll, Kevin Magnussen, and Esteban Ocon in exiting after the first part of the session. Pierre Gasly, Nico Hülkenberg, Alonso, Albon, and Yuki Tsunoda were knocked out of the second session. Alexander Albon had lap times deleted due to track limits, so Zhou Guanyu appeared in Q3.

Daniel Ricciardo qualified in fourth place, the AlphaTauri team's highest qualification of the season. The Ferrari drivers took a front row lockout, with Leclerc claiming pole position.[15]

Qualifying classification

DriverConstructor
Q1Q2Q3
116data-sort-value="lec" Charles LeclercFerrari1:18.401 1:17.901 1:17.1661
255data-sort-value="sai" Carlos Sainz Jr.Ferrari1:18.7551:18.3821:17.2332
31data-sort-value="ver" Max VerstappenRed Bull Racing-Honda RBPT1:18.0991:17.625 1:17.2633
43data-sort-value="ric" Daniel RicciardoAlphaTauri-Honda RBPT1:18.341 1:17.706 1:17.3824
511data-sort-value="per" Sergio PérezRed Bull Racing-Honda RBPT1:18.553 1:18.124 1:17.4235
644data-sort-value="ham" Lewis HamiltonMercedes1:18.677 1:17.5711:17.4546
781data-sort-value="pia" Oscar PiastriMcLaren-Mercedes1:18.241 1:17.874 1:17.6237
863data-sort-value="rus" George RussellMercedes1:18.893 1:17.673 1:17.6748
977data-sort-value="bot" Valtteri BottasAlfa Romeo-Ferrari1:18.429 1:18.016 1:18.0329
1024data-sort-value="zho" Zhou GuanyuAlfa Romeo-Ferrari1:19.016 1:18.440 1:18.05010
1110data-sort-value="gas" Pierre GaslyAlpine-Renault1:18.9451:18.521data-sort-value="12" align="center" style="background: silver" N/A11
1227data-sort-value="hul" Haas-Ferrari1:18.9691:18.524data-sort-value="20" align="center" style="background: silver" N/A12
1314data-sort-value="alo" Fernando Alonso1:18.8481:18.738data-sort-value="20" align="center" style="background: silver" N/A13
1423data-sort-value="alb" Alexander AlbonWilliams-Mercedes1:18.8281:19.147data-sort-value="14" align="center" style="background: silver" N/A14
1522data-sort-value="tsu" Yuki TsunodaAlphaTauri-Honda RBPT1:18.890No timedata-sort-value="14" align="center" style="background: silver" N/A18
1631data-sort-value="oco" Esteban OconAlpine-Renault1:19.080data-sort-value="18" align="center" style="background: silver" N/Adata-sort-value="14" align="center" style="background: silver" N/A15
1720data-sort-value="mag" Haas-Ferrari1:19.163data-sort-value="18" align="center" style="background: silver" N/Adata-sort-value="14" align="center" style="background: silver" N/A16
1818data-sort-value="str" Lance StrollAston Martin Aramco-Mercedes1:19.227 data-sort-value="20" align="center" style="background: silver" N/Adata-sort-value="20" align="center" style="background: silver" N/Adata-sort-value="20" align="center"
194data-sort-value="nor" Lando NorrisMcLaren-Mercedes1:21.554data-sort-value="18" align="center" style="background: silver" N/Adata-sort-value="18" align="center" style="background: silver" N/A17
107% time

1:23.565

2data-sort-value="sar" Logan SargeantWilliams-MercedesNo timedata-sort-value="18" align="center" style="background: silver" N/Adata-sort-value="18" align="center" style="background: silver" N/A19
Source:[16] [17]
Notes

Race

The race was held on 29 October 2023, at 14:00 local time (UTC−6), and was run for 71 laps.[1]

Race report

Max Verstappen won the race, his record-setting sixteenth win in a season, ahead of Lewis Hamilton in second and polesitter Charles Leclerc in third. Five retirements occurred during the race. On the first turn of the first lap, Sergio Pérez turned into Leclerc, resulting in Pérez's retirement and damage to Leclerc's endplate. On lap 5 Leclerc's endplate came off at turn 1 which led to a short virtual safety car (VSC) period in order to allow for the marshals to remove the debris from the circuit safely. On lap 33, Kevin Magnussen had a left rear suspension failure, leading to a heavy crash at turn 9 which left his car a smoldering wreck and initially brought out the safety car. One lap later, the red flag was brought out to allow marshals to repair a section of the barrier. Fernando Alonso withdrew due to damage in lap 47, with his Aston Martin teammate Lance Stroll later also being forced to retire after a collision with Valtteri Bottas. Logan Sargeant had an issue with his fuel pump, forcing him to retire on the final lap.[21] [22]

Starting seventeenth, Lando Norris gained twelve places to finish in fifth. Daniel Ricciardo finished in seventh, marking the AlphaTauri team's highest finish for the season.[23] This result moved AlphaTauri from last to eighth in the Constructors Championship: 4 points ahead of Haas and level with Alfa Romeo.[23]

After the lap-one crash between Pérez and Leclerc, a fan started an altercation between other fans. The instigator was ejected from the venue and given a lifetime ban.[24]

Race classification

DriverConstructorTime/RetiredPoints
11data-sort-value="ver" Max VerstappenRed Bull Racing-Honda RBPT712:02:30.814325
244data-sort-value="ham" Lewis HamiltonMercedes71+13.875619
316data-sort-value="lec" Charles LeclercFerrari71+23.124115
455data-sort-value="sai" Carlos Sainz Jr.Ferrari71+27.154212
54data-sort-value="nor" Lando NorrisMcLaren-Mercedes71+33.2661710
663data-sort-value="rus" George RussellMercedes71+41.02088
73data-sort-value="ric" Daniel RicciardoAlphaTauri-Honda RBPT71+41.570 46
881data-sort-value="pia" Oscar PiastriMcLaren-Mercedes71+43.10474
923data-sort-value="alb" Alexander AlbonWilliams-Mercedes71+48.573142
1031data-sort-value="oco" Esteban OconAlpine-Renault71+1:02.879151
1110data-sort-value="gas" Pierre GaslyAlpine-Renault71+1:06.20811
1222data-sort-value="tsu" Yuki TsunodaAlphaTauri-Honda RBPT71+1:18.98218
1327data-sort-value="hul" Nico HülkenbergHaas-Ferrari71+1:20.30912
1424data-sort-value="zho" Zhou GuanyuAlfa Romeo-Ferrari71+1:21.67610
1577data-sort-value="bot" Valtteri BottasAlfa Romeo-Ferrari71+1:25.5979
162data-sort-value="sar" Logan SargeantWilliams-Mercedes70Fuel pump19
1718data-sort-value="str" Lance Stroll66
Ret14data-sort-value="alo" Fernando Alonso47Collision damage13
Ret20data-sort-value="mag" Haas-Ferrari31Accident16
Ret11data-sort-value="per" Sergio PérezRed Bull Racing-Honda RBPT1Collision damage5
Fastest lap

Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) – 1:21.334 (lap 71)

Source:[25] [26]
Notes

Championship standings after the race

Drivers' Championship standings
DriverPoints
1 Max Verstappen*491
2 Sergio Pérez240
3 Lewis Hamilton220
14 Carlos Sainz Jr.183
15 Fernando Alonso183
Source:[28]
Constructors' Championship standings
ConstructorPoints
1 Red Bull Racing-Honda RBPT*731
2 Mercedes371
3 Ferrari349
4 McLaren-Mercedes256
5236
Source:

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Mexico City Grand Prix 2023 – F1 Race. Formula 1. 23 October 2023. 23 October 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231023005100/https://www.formula1.com/en/racing/2023/Mexico.html. live.
  2. Web site: Record Attendance at the 2023 Mexico City Grand Prix. f1destinations.com. 29 October 2023. 29 October 2023. 30 October 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231030072717/https://f1destinations.com/record-attendance-2023-mexico-city-grand-prix/. live.
  3. Web site: 25 October 2023 . F1 – 2023 Mexico City Grand Prix Preview . 25 October 2023 . . 26 October 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231026043207/https://www.fia.com/news/f1-2023-mexico-city-grand-prix-preview . live .
  4. News: Formula One statistics for the Mexican Grand Prix . 27 October 2023 . Reuters . 25 October 2023 . en . 26 October 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231026164841/https://www.reuters.com/sports/motor-sports/formula-one-statistics-mexican-grand-prix-2023-10-25/#:~:text=Sunday%20will%20be%20the%2023rd,2%2C285m%20above%20sea%20level. . live .
  5. Web site: 22 October 2023 . USA 2023 – Championship . 22 October 2023 . StatsF1.com . 23 October 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231023160949/https://www.statsf1.com/en/2023/etats-unis/championnat.aspx . live .
  6. Web site: 27 October 2023 . 2023 Mexico City Grand Prix – Entry List . 27 October 2023 . . 27 October 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231027163724/https://www.fia.com/sites/default/files/decision-document/2023%20Mexico%20City%20Grand%20Prix%20-%20Entry%20List.pdf . live .
  7. Web site: Breaking: Ricciardo to replace De Vries at AlphaTauri from the Hungarian Grand Prix . Formula 1 . 11 July 2023 . 24 October 2023 . 13 July 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230713010037/https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article.breaking-ricciardo-to-replace-de-vries-at-alphatauri-from-the-hungarian.2yhnzxE6XpSUZwzHfr9rXp.html . live .
  8. Web site: The five rookie drivers set to take part in FP1 at the Mexico City GP. Formula 1. 27 October 2023. 27 October 2023. 27 October 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231027104854/https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article.the-five-rookie-drivers-set-to-take-part-in-fp1-at-the-mexico-city-gp.Z4YTOEPIuAxQlFLWs5lKb.html. live.
  9. News: Nichol . Jake . 28 September 2023 . Pirelli to trial new compound in Mexico as tyre selections announced . en . RacingNews365 . 25 October 2023 . 29 October 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231029022603/https://racingnews365.com/pirelli-to-trial-new-compound-in-mexico-as-tyre-compounds-announced . live .
  10. Web site: More strategies possible in Mexico thanks to the tyre choices . 25 October 2023 . Pirelli . en . 26 October 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231026155238/https://press.pirelli.com/more-strategies-possible-in-mexico-thanks-to-the-tyre-choices/ . live .
  11. Web site: Mexico City Grand Prix 2023 – F1 Free Practice 1 results. Racingnews365. 27 October 2023 . 28 October 2023. 27 October 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231027213033/https://racingnews365.com/2023-f1-mexican-grand-prix-free-practice-1-results. live.
  12. Web site: Mexico City Grand Prix 2023 – F1 Free Practice 2 results. Racingnews365. 28 October 2023. 27 October 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231027233715/https://racingnews365.com/2023-f1-mexican-grand-prix-free-practice-2-results. live.
  13. Web site: Mexico City Grand Prix 2023 – F1 Free Practice 3 results. Racingnews365. 28 October 2023 . 28 October 2023. 28 October 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231028185538/https://racingnews365.com/2023-f1-mexican-grand-prix-free-practice-3-results. live.
  14. Web site: Cleeren. Filip. Verstappen, Hamilton escape sanctions for Mexico F1 qualifying incidents. Autosport. 29 October 2023. 23 July 2024.
  15. Web site: Leclerc takes sensational pole ahead of Sainz and Verstappen as Ferrari lock out front row in Mexico City. Formula 1. 29 October 2023. 29 October 2023. 29 October 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231029022752/https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article.leclerc-takes-sensational-pole-ahead-of-sainz-and-verstappen-as-ferrari-lock.0gEgT5bhynQTLwPkA1G2r.html. live.
  16. Web site: Formula 1 Gran Premio de la Ciudad de México 2023 – Qualifying. Formula 1. 28 October 2023. 28 October 2023. 29 October 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231029104637/https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2023/races/1223/mexico/qualifying.html. live.
  17. Web site: 2023 Mexico City Grand Prix – Final Starting Grid. Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile. 29 October 2023. 29 October 2023. 30 October 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231030033559/https://www.fia.com/sites/default/files/doc_49_-_2023_mexico_city_grand_prix_-_final_starting_grid.pdf. live.
  18. Web site: Infringement – Car 22 – PU Elements and RNC Changes. Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile. 27 October 2023. 27 October 2023. 27 October 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231027194354/https://www.fia.com/sites/default/files/decision-document/2023%20Mexico%20City%20Grand%20Prix%20-%20Infringement%20-%20Car%2022%20-%20PU%20Elements%20and%20RNC%20Changes.pdf. live.
  19. Web site: Infringement – Car 18 – Changes made during Parc Ferme. Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile. 29 October 2023. 29 October 2023. 29 October 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231029170545/https://www.fia.com/sites/default/files/decision-document/2023%20Mexico%20City%20Grand%20Prix%20-%20Infringement%20-%20Car%2018%20-%20Changes%20made%20during%20Parc%20Ferme.pdf. live.
  20. Web site: Infringement – Car 2 – Overtaking under Yellow Flags. Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile. 28 October 2023. 28 October 2023. 29 October 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231029112624/https://www.fia.com/sites/default/files/decision-document/2023%20Mexico%20City%20Grand%20Prix%20-%20Infringement%20-%20Car%202%20-%20Overtaking%20under%20Yellow%20Flags.pdf. live.
  21. Web site: Verstappen charges to record 16th win of the season after Perez's opening lap crash in Mexico. 30 October 2023. Formula 1. 29 October 2023. en. 30 October 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231030000722/https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article.verstappen-charges-to-record-16th-win-of-the-season-after-perezs-opening-lap.4HoUxkHmH8EhxFRfauSQzS.html. live.
  22. Web site: Alonso insists 2023 has still been 'incredible' for Aston . Formula 1 . 31 October 2023 . en . 30 October 2023 . 30 October 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231030125950/https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article.alonso-insists-it-has-still-been-incredible-season-despite-aston-martins.2UZfxD8gVIVpdQ6LawzLsl.html . live .
  23. News: Kelly . Sean . Best facts and stats after the Mexico City Grand Prix . 30 October 2023 . www.formula1.com . 29 October 2023 . en . 30 October 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231030002951/https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article.facts-and-stats-alphatauris-best-result-of-the-year-and-another-verstappen.3byU1JthAi3f9Mw9TRl1yV.html . live .
  24. Web site: F1 takes action after fan violence at Mexican Grand Prix. Mitchell. Rory. Gale. Ewan. RacingNews365. 30 October 2023. 29 October 2023. en. 30 October 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231030163803/https://racingnews365.com/f1-takes-action-after-violence-breaks-out-at-mexico. live.
  25. Web site: Formula 1 Gran Premio de la Ciudad de México 2023 – Race Result. Formula 1. 29 October 2023. 29 October 2023. 29 October 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231029134447/https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2023/races/1223/mexico/race-result.html. live.
  26. Web site: Formula 1 Gran Premio de la Ciudad de México 2023 – Fastest Laps. Formula 1. 29 October 2023. 29 October 2023. 28 September 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230928081419/https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2023/races/1223/mexico/fastest-laps.html. live.
  27. News: Infringement – Car 77 – Causing a collision . 30 October 2023 . . 29 October 2023 . 30 October 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231030000336/https://www.fia.com/sites/default/files/decision-document/2023%20Mexico%20City%20Grand%20Prix%20-%20Infringement%20-%20Car%2077%20-%20Causing%20a%20collision.pdf . live .
  28. Web site: 29 October 2023 . Mexico City 2023 – Championship . 29 October 2023 . StatsF1.com . 30 October 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231030033604/https://www.statsf1.com/en/2023/mexico-city/championnat.aspx . live .