Mexico City

Well, that was fun. Lots of competition and changing fortunes. I didn't realise that Mexico City has 22 million residents. It makes it bigger then many countries that host GPs so maybe understandable why they insist on it being the City race rather than the country. Who cares about F1 tradition?

Custodians

Well I'm not sure F1 in general, and Silverstone, in particular really care about F1 tradition. Silverstone's pricing was dynamic again for 2025 tickets and drove away thousands of true motorsport fans and the younger cohort. I ranted on their Facebook page and via yet another complaint, so won't inflict readers further.

The point is, though, the leaders of F1 and the management team at Silverstone are the temporary custodians of our sport. They are exploiting the temporary but extreme popularity of the sport right now. I was at Silverstone with 200,000 spectators for Mansell Mania and was also there a few years later with 70,000...

Old People's Home

Fernando started his 400th race weekend (Crofty and Karun were debating 'race' v 'race weekend') which is a magnificent achievement. How on earth do these guys keep going - and he is signed for two more years!

Hope for me yet?

Crash

Maybe it's fatigue during this 24 race season (I think 20 is enough, but don't get me started again), but there was a lot of crashing going on this weekend.

Or maybe it's the fact they do a quite impressive 352kph at the braking point for turn one. And about 3kph through the stadium section, This replaces the Peraltada - anyone remember Mansell's pass of Berger round the outside back when it was a proper corner.

Anyway, George Russell had a biggie on Friday and Yuki stopped practice on Saturday. And Alex had a wild moment while passing a slightly tardy Bearman piloted Ferrari.

George isn't really a crasher, although Bottas might disagree, but he has bent a lot of parts in the last few weeks. They had to put the car back a few upgrades. Insiders say it's at spec last used to win the Milli Miglia with Stirling Moss.

Qualy

It seemed to be anyone's pole as the three qualy sessions started. Ferrari, McLaren, Merc and the 'Max Bull' all looked like they'd be in contention. Merc fell away, the 'Checo Bull' blew it (again) and Oscar Pasty managed to do his best lap off track so was out on Q1.

Haas were mighty impressive again, so too Yuki, Albon and Colapinto. He is giving Alex something to think about. Max completely outdrove the car to post second. Lando didn't quite nail it but was third while Leclerc and the two Mercs were next.

Domination

But Carlos beat the lot of them. Two laps that would have been pole. Proper driver and tough to lose his place to Lewis. In my experience, a proper bloke too.

Golf

A quick anecdote. Mrs C is a big Red Bull fan but also likes Carlos quite a lot. This summer, I was playing golf at Kingsbarns Golf Course (St Andrews, Scotland) with some pals. Behind us was Carlos, his brother and two pals. There were a few F1 nuts in our group who were after photos / videos.

Bear in mind this was the first day of his summer break, he's relaxing on the golf course, and the day after he was announced at Williams. I asked if I could video him saying something to Mrs C. He asked if I could give him time to check some messages - presumably about 1.2 million after the news broke.

Then he apologised for taking time - only about two minutes. Couldn't have been more friendly. Top bloke and I was a 'husband hero' when Fiona received the resulting video. 😊

Random Penalty Generator

In Texas, the FIA Randon Penalty Generator was in full force. Penalty for Russell and none for Max. Penalty for going off track for Lando, none for Max. How about being on the inside, defending, then coming off the brakes to get ahead at the apex, and not making the corner. Apparently that's fine.

Guidelines

There were conversations in Mexico to tidy up the guidelines which were contradictory in parts. Lewis made the point that the FIA did nothing in 2021 when Max 1.0 was in his prime.

We saw the final round of the BTCC as Brands and the leaders were very assertive but gave each other racing room. No less exciting and they both finished the race with their cars in one piece. Lewis and George went at it hammer and tongs in Mexico and swapped no paint. So it can be done.

Race for the Championship

But it wasn't to be in the Max v Lando battles. Thankfully, two 10 second penalties were dished out. We're back to 'give way or we crash' from the Senna / Schumacher playbook unless the Stewards do their jobs.

Race

Away from penaltygate, there was a fun race. Not so for Yuki and Alex, which was a shame. Both out within 60 seconds due to a mess at the first corner.

The Ferraris were very strong and made their way to the front. Charles was pushing quite hard (to the displeasure of Carlos on the radio) and I think may have overdriven his tyres. Towards the end of the race, when Lando was catching, Charles has a massive tank slapper at the final corner. The front end bit, and he must have been looking straight at the crowd for a couple of seconds. Thankfully, he saved it but Lando was through to chase Carlos.

1955

Lewis pipped George's 1955 Merc to fourth, albeit miles behind the leaders. So was Max - a minute behind in sixth. The quality of the Haas weekend continued into the race with seventh and ninth. Oscar Pastry made his way to eighth from the back of the grid and Gasly's Alpine completed the top ten.

Bull

The 'Checo Bull' was last. Somehow he managed to overshoot his grid and then suffered from some of the younger guys he was passing who deployed the Verstappen defence. It's a shame but I think he has done his last home race.

Four Left

I think Mystic Stu said Red Bull would lose the Constructor's Championship. Well, now McLaren and Ferrari are ahead of them. Max is still just about in sight for Lando. And because of that, I don't think we've seen the last of 'give way or we crash'.

I was really pleased for Carlos, and Lando's drive was excellent. Merc seem to have fallen back in the development race very recently so I think it's McLaren v Ferrari for the Constructors.

And Max v Lando for the Drivers', provided the Stewards to their job.