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2023 FIA Formula One World Championship
2023 Brazilian Grand Prix
Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace
Sao Paulo, Brazil
Sunday, 5 November 2023
Red Bull Racing's Max Verstappen heads to the
Brazilian Grand Prix in confident mood as he seeks a record 17th victory of the season on Sunday, November 5.
The Dutchman broke his previous record of 15 wins achieved in 2022 when he took the checkered flag 13.875 seconds ahead of Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton at the Mexican Grand Prix.
Verstappen was crowned World Champion for the third year running at the Qatar Grand Prix and has opened up a massive 251-point gap to team-mate Sergio Perez, who is battling it out with Hamilton for second place in the driver's standings.
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The 26-year-old is now looking to equal his record for most podium finishes in a season (22) and he needs to place in the top three in Sao Paulo, Las Vegas and Yas Island to match that feat of 2021.
Verstappen started third on the grid in Mexico City, but dissected the two Ferraris to take the lead into turn 1 on the opening lap and he stayed ahead of the pack for much of the race to secure his fourth consecutive P1.
Perez crashed out on turn 1 as he attempted to pass Charles Leclerc on the outside, but made contact with the Ferrari driver's wheel and went off the track.
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Verstappen admitted that 'Checo' could have left a little more room in a bid to pass the two lead cars, although he added that the move would have been "amazing" if the Mexican pulled it off.
"I mean, I understand because it's his home Grand Prix. You want to be on the podium, I fully understand that," the Belgium-born driver said.
"He went around the outside, and he tried. Looking at the footage, I think he could have left a little bit more space, but at the other end if it would have worked, you know, you look amazing.
"And of course, I think it's just more like that excitement of wanting to be on the podium and this time it didn't work out, unfortunately."
2023 Mexican Grand Prix results:
Winner: Max Verstappen - Red Bull Racing
Second Place: Lewis Hamilton - Mercedes
Third Place: Charles Leclerc - Ferrari
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