Ferrari heads into the Mexico Grand Prix facing a difficult milestone—one full year without a race victory. The Italian team’s last triumph came in Mexico in 2024, when Carlos Sainz stood atop the podium. Since then, their season has been marked by inconsistency and near misses. As the team returns to the same circuit this weekend, hopes for breaking the winless streak remain dim, especially with Red Bull’s Max Verstappen on a relentless charge.
Verstappen, now a four-time world champion, has been in blistering form over the past few races. After trailing McLaren’s Oscar Piastri by 104 points at the end of August, the Dutch driver has slashed that deficit to just 40 points. His recent dominance—winning three of the last four grands prix—has reignited the championship fight and put McLaren on notice. Verstappen’s current momentum makes him the overwhelming favorite to continue his surge in Mexico.
Meanwhile, Ferrari’s struggles contrast sharply with Red Bull’s resurgence. Despite strong performances from Sainz and Charles Leclerc, the team has failed to convert pace into podiums. Mechanical issues, strategy missteps, and fierce competition from McLaren have all contributed to their dry spell. A year ago, Ferrari celebrated victory at this very track, but now they find themselves fighting to keep up with the frontrunners.
McLaren, for its part, continues to show impressive consistency through Piastri and Lando Norris. The young duo has kept the pressure on Verstappen, forcing Red Bull to deliver near-perfect performances to close the gap. However, with Verstappen’s recent surge, McLaren’s title hopes are under increasing strain. Mexico could prove to be a decisive race in determining whether the championship remains a battle or becomes a Red Bull runaway.
As the Formula One season enters its final stretch, the stakes have never been higher. Verstappen’s remarkable comeback threatens to eclipse Ferrari’s anniversary of frustration and McLaren’s early-season momentum. All eyes will be on the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez this weekend to see if Ferrari can finally reclaim its glory—or if Verstappen will tighten his grip on yet another dominant campaign.
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