Mexican GP 2022: Verstappen took record-breaking 14th win of the season!

Passionate Mexican fans saluted Checo and the F1 caravan, as Mexico City welcomed the teams for round 20.

Grid girls pose during the drivers' parade ahead of the Formula One Grand Prix of Mexico at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez on November 01, 2015 in Mexico City, Mexico. Photo by Lars Baron / Getty Images.

Grid girls look on before the Formula One Grand Prix of Mexico at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez on October 29, 2017 in Mexico City, Mexico. Photo by Clive Rose / Getty Images.

Since the beginning of the weekend it was obvious, that Ferrari were in trouble in the high altitude, whilst Red Bull and Mercedes showed top form.

A Day of the Dead performer looks on in the Paddock during previews ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Mexico at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez on October 27, 2022 in Mexico City, Mexico. Photo by Chris Graythen / Formula 1 via Getty Images.

A Day of the Dead performer looks on in the Paddock during previews ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Mexico at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez on October 27, 2022 in Mexico City, Mexico. Photo by Chris Graythen / Formula 1 via Getty Images.

A Day of the Dead performer poses for a photo outside the Ferrari garage during previews ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Mexico at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez on October 27, 2022 in Mexico City, Mexico. Photo by Jared C. Tilton / Getty Images.

Pierre Gasly of AlphaTauri, dressed as Mario Achi, wears a sombrero in the paddock during previews ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Mexico at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez on October 27, 2022 in Mexico City, Mexico. Photo by Chris Graythen / Formula 1 via Getty Images.

Carlos Sainz talks to the media in the paddock during previews ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Mexico at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez on October 27, 2022 in Mexico City, Mexico.Photo by Mario Renzi 1/ Formula 1 via Getty Images.

Fernando Alonso of Alpine F1 walks in the paddock with Andrea Schlager during previews ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Mexico at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez on October 27, 2022 in Mexico City, Mexico. Photo by Jared C. Tilton / Getty Images.

There were some other surprises as well, such as Valtteri Bottas' shining performance in all three segments of the qualifying, the Finn being 4th fastest in Q1 and 6th in the final results.

Alexander Albon of Thailand and Williams and Lily Muni He walk in the paddock prior to practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Mexico at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez on October 28, 2022 in Mexico City, Mexico. Photo by Clive Mason / Formula 1 via Getty Images.

Charles Leclerc. Photo by Ferrari.

Charles Leclerc. Photo by Ferrari.

Carlos Sainz. Photo by Ferrari.

Carlos Sainz. Photo by Ferrari.

Mercedes' Russell, who had topped both 2nd and 3rd free practice session, was seriously challenging the double world champion Verstappen for pole, but the Briton fell into an error at the last minute.

Fans watch the action during qualifying ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Mexico at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez on October 29, 2022 in Mexico City, Mexico. Photo by Chris Graythen / Getty Images.

In the end, Russell missed out on pole by 0.3s. Teammate Hamilton made the day productive for Mercedes by finishing third. Worshiped home hero Perez qualified 4th in front of his passionate home crowd.

 Carlos Sainz. Photo by Ferrari.

Carlos Sainz. Photo by Ferrari.

Charles Leclerc. Photo by Ferrari.

Charles Leclerc. Photo by Ferrari.

The Ferrari duo of Sainz and Leclerc were completely out-written, ending up in P5 and P7.

Adrian Newey (Chief Technical Officer of Red Bull Racing) with his wife Mandy Smerczak and Christian Horner (Team Principal of Red Bull Racing) during the F1 Grand Prix of Mexico at Circuito Hermanos Rodriguez on October 30, 2022 in Ciudad de Mexico, Mexico. Photo by Gongora / Nur via Getty Images.

Performers entertain the crowd in the paddock prior to the F1 Grand Prix of Mexico at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez on October 30, 2022 in Mexico City, Mexico. Photo by Chris Graythen / Getty Images.

Performers entertain the crowd in the paddock prior to the F1 Grand Prix of Mexico at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez on October 30, 2022 in Mexico City, Mexico. Photo by Chris Graythen / Getty Images.

Performers entertain the crowd in the paddock prior to the F1 Grand Prix of Mexico at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez on October 30, 2022 in Mexico City, Mexico. Photo by Chris Graythen / Getty Images.

Performers entertain the crowd in the paddock prior to the F1 Grand Prix of Mexico at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez on October 30, 2022 in Mexico City, Mexico. Photo by Chris Graythen / Getty Images.

A performer entertains the crowd on the grid during the F1 Grand Prix of Mexico at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez on October 30, 2022 in Mexico City, Mexico. Photo by Chris Graythen / Getty Images.

Performers entertain the crowd on the grid during the F1 Grand Prix of Mexico at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez on October 30, 2022 in Mexico City, Mexico. Photo by Chris Graythen / Getty Images.

A grid performer stands with the car of Yuki Tsunoda of Japan and Scuderia AlphaTauri during the F1 Grand Prix of Mexico at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez on October 30, 2022 in Mexico City, Mexico. Photo by Peter Fox / Getty Images.

A performer entertains the crowd on the grid during the F1 Grand Prix of Mexico at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez on October 30, 2022 in Mexico City, Mexico. Photo by Mark Thompson / Getty Images.

A performer entertains the crowd on the grid during the F1 Grand Prix of Mexico at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez on October 30, 2022 in Mexico City, Mexico. Photo by Mark Thompson / Getty Images.

Pierre Gasly of Scuderia AlphaTauri and France on the grid during the F1 Grand Prix of Mexico at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez on October 30, 2022 in Mexico City, Mexico. Photo by Peter Fox / Getty Images.

Sergio Perez of Mexico and Red Bull Racing waves to the crowd on the drivers’ parade prior to the F1 Grand Prix of Mexico at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez on October 30, 2022 in Mexico City, Mexico. Photo by Peter Fox / Getty Images.

Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz wave to the crowd on the drivers’ parade prior to the F1 Grand Prix of Mexico at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez on October 30, 2022 in Mexico City, Mexico. Photo by Jared C. Tilton / Getty Images.

Charles Leclerc at the pits. Photo by Ferrari.

Carlos Sainz at the pits getting into his Ferrari. Photo by Ferrari.

The top teams opted for different tyre strategy. Pole-setter Verstappen was on softs, similar to his teammate Perez and the Ferrari duo of Sainz and Leclerc.

Fans smile prior to the F1 Grand Prix of Mexico at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez on October 30, 2022 in Mexico City, Mexico. Photo by Cesar Gomez / Jam Media / Getty Images.

The Mercedes aces in P2 and P3, on the other hand, opted for the balanced medium rubber, as did Bottas, who was splitting the red-suited drivers. Verstappen's start on the softs was flawless and the dominant world champion held on to his lead. The battle between the Mercedes teammates led into Russell ending up wide and Hamilton jumped second. Home hero Perez made his way ahead of Russell as well.

Carlos Sainz ahead of Charles Leclerc. Photo by Ferrari.

Sainz maintained his 5th place at the start, whilst teammate Charles had taken a more clever line into Turn 1, overtaking Bottas in his Alfa Romeo and claiming P6.

Photo by F1.com.

With 16 laps completed, it was obvious, that the Ferrari drivers were unable to match the top two teams' pace. Carlos and Charles were driving a race of their own, as Perez in P4 was about eight seconds ahead of Carlos and Alonso in P7 was some eight seconds behind Charles.

Carlos Sainz. Photo by Ferrari.

Perez was the first top driver to pit on lap 23. The Mexican had a slightly delayed pit stop due to problems with his rear left tyre and Perez rejoined the track behind both Ferrari drivers. Soft Pirellis had been replaced by a fresh set of mediums. Teammate Verstappen pitted from the lead on the sequential lap, also opting for the medium compound. Hamilton had a longer first stint due to his tyre choice and pitted not until on lap 29 for hard Pirellis. Russell had an even longer first stint, as he drove into the pits not until at the halfway point of the race. After the pit stops the pecking order was restored: Verstappen was leading, with Hamilton second, Perez third and Russell fourth. Verstappen's lead was secured, as the gap to runner-up Hamilton had grown into 10 seconds.

Alex Albon in his Williams at his box at the 2022 Mexico Grand Prix.

With 20 laps to go, there was action between McLaren's Ricciardo and AlphaTauri's Tsunoda. Ricciardo was way too greedy to make an overtaking move on the Japanese and saw his chance in a place where there was no chance for overtaking. The two collided and Tsunoda had to pit due to severe damage to his car. The Japanese's race ended in the pit garage and Ricciardo, who was out of the top ten at this point, was handed a 10-second time penalty for causing the collision.

There wasn't too much happening, until on lap 65 Alonso's Alpine came to a sudden halt in Turn 1 due to an engine issue. Yellow flags rapidly turned into virtual safety car. Alonso's failed car was quickly removed from the track and the race was resumed.

Race winner Max Verstappen, second placed Lewis Hamilton, third placed Sergio Perez and Red Bull Racing race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase celebrate on the podium during the F1 Grand Prix of Mexico at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez on October 30, 2022 in Mexico City, Mexico. Photo by Dan Istitene / Formula 1 via Getty Images.

Verstappen's historical and record-breaking 14th win of the season was threatened by no one, as Hamilton had been left 14 seconds behind the superior Dutchman. Russell, who had his hands on secured 4th place, pitted for the second time with only a couple of laps to go. His target on the fresh softs was to deprive Perez of the fastest lap time.

Race winner Max Verstappen and the Red Bull Racing team celebrate after the F1 Grand Prix of Mexico at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez on October 30, 2022 in Mexico City, Mexico. Photo by Chris Graythen / Getty Images.

Verstappen wrote history when crossing the finish line as the race winner for the 14th time this season. No other driver has ever won 14 races in one season! In addition to the record-breaking amount of wins in one season, Verstappen also broke the record of most points in one season by increasing his point pot into historical 416 points.

Third placed Sergio Perez of Mexico and Red Bull Racing celebrates with his family in parc ferme during the F1 Grand Prix of Mexico at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez on October 30, 2022 in Mexico City, Mexico. Photo by Mark Thompson / Getty Images.

Hamilton finished the runner-up, with home hero Perez completing the podium exactly like last year. Russell in P4 did take the fastest lap time under his belt, scoring the extra point. The Ferrari duo had a tame and lonely race, and places 5 and 6 turned out the maximum result. Ricciardo, whose switch to the soft compound had proved a genius choice, stood out of the crowd by finishing 7th in spite of the time penalty. After a setback-filled and disappointing season it was heartwarming to see the Australian to be voted as the Driver of the Day by fans. Alpine's Ocon, Norris in the sister McLaren and Alfa Romeo's Bottas scored the remaining five points.

The 2022 season is slowly coming to an end. There're two more races to go, the upcoming race in Brazil with the last Sprint of the season and season finale in Abu Dhabi under the stunning artificial lights. Will it be possible for Verstappen to extend his record into 16 wins in a season?

With passion for racing red,

Iina Huhmarniemi