Max Verstappen gets his 16th win of the year while Sergio Perez crashes into Charles LeClerc

Max Verstappen clinches his 16th victory of the season as he emerges victorious at the 2023 Mexican Grand Prix. Many in the crowd had their fingers crossed for his Red Bull teammate, Sergio Perez, to claim the top spot. However, Perez's race came to an abrupt end at the very first corner. It was indeed a stark contrast in outcomes.

For those who missed the thrilling Qatar sprint showdown with Lewis Hamilton, a similar scenario unfolded with Sergio Perez at the helm. The same situation played out, albeit with different players. In each case, a racing car played the dual role of perpetrator and victim.

"I would be really disappointed to be on the podium today, knowing I had a chance to go for the lead and didn't seize it," expressed Checo, as his ambition got entangled with Leclerc's fate. Charles Leclerc, who was already under threat from Verstappen, found himself sandwiched when Perez attempted to overtake both drivers. Unfortunately, in the process, Perez made contact with the front wheel of Leclerc's Ferrari, inflicting damage and putting himself out of the race for good. This prompted Red Bull to make the difficult decision to retire Perez's car.

Sergio Perez took full responsibility for the incident, acknowledging that three cars battling for position was a recipe for disaster. However, the crowd did not take kindly to Leclerc in this situation. On November 5th, Sergio will have an opportunity to bounce back at the São Paulo Grand Prix in Brazil.

The 2023 Mexican Grand Prix delivered its fair share of unexpected twists and turns, leaving fans eagerly anticipating the next chapter in this thrilling Formula 1 season.