Verstappen says Red Bull lacked some pace in Mexico win

Max Verstappen said Red Bull was a little short on pace as he turned a fifth-place start into victory at the Mexico City Grand Prix. He described the race as hectic. The first start, he said, immediately shaped his race; he also pointed to his strong first lap.

Red Bull was on a different strategy, Verstappen said, but held on and made the right calls at the right moments. He credited Charles Leclerc's penalty with putting him in the lead.

Hamilton stayed close, Verstappen said, and he was sweating to keep the Briton behind him in the closing stages. Verstappen also said the long run to Turn 1 and a large bump in the middle of the track made it important to judge the braking point precisely.

The win was Verstappen's third of the season.