10 things we learned from the 2022 Mexican Grand Prix

There’s little escaping that the Mexican Grand Prix last weekend ultimately failed to deliver on the thrilling climax it teased at certain points. That meant, at a time when the FIA went public with its contentious punishment for Red Bull breaking the 2021 cost cap, there was an equal split between on- and off-track talking points.

Max Verstappen writing his name into more pages of the history books as he broke another two Formula 1 records thanks to his latest victory, Mercedes upping the pace but coming overall conservative with its strategy, plus a rejuvenated showing from Daniel Ricciardo were among the lean highlights from the 71 laps of the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez.

Away from the asphalt, the atmosphere at high altitude was a lot more fraught. Sky Sports couldn’t cut to Christian Horner on the pitwall as Red Bull boycotted the broadcaster just hours after the team had been busy explaining its exceeding of the budget cap. Fernando Alonso finally had a resolution to the protest of the protest of his result in the United States Grand Prix and it’s looking like both the Mexico round and Lewis Hamilton will be sticking around for a little while longer.

All told, here are 10 things we learned from the 2022 Mexican Grand Prix.

Max Verstappen celebrates a record-breaking 14th win in a single season

Photo by: Carl Bingham / Motorsport Images

1. Victorious Verstappen has broken another two F1 records

While there were some complaints from the cockpit of the #1 RB18 during the first stint as his soft tyres began to tear, polesitter Max Verstappen would soon take total control of the 71 laps in Mexico City and come to look unflappable on his way to victory by 15.186s over Lewis Hamilton.

The two-time world champion’s latest triumph increased his tally of wins in 2022 up to 14, which meant he surpassed the 13-strong record shared by Sebastian Vettel (2013) and Michael Schumacher (2004) for the most successful season in Formula 1 history.

Verstappen’s reaction was: “Another great race but also, it’s just an incredible season for us as a team. I never thought I would be able to win 14 races in a year. I’m incredibly proud.”

Quite astonishingly, that wasn’t the only record Verstappen broke when he reached the chequered flag. With the full score of 25 for first place secured, the Dutch ace now counts 416 points for his efforts this year. That meant he moved clear of Hamilton’s 2019 record of 413, and that’s still with two races (including a sprint round) to go. But even if Verstappen claims the spoils in Brazil and Abu Dhabi, his win percentage will fall just shy of Alberto Ascari’s 75% in 1952.

On the points score, Verstappen added: “Hopefully we can score a few more, but it’s not about that. At the end of the day, it’s all about trying to win a championship and it doesn’t matter with how many points you do it, but it does show we are having an incredible year.”

Mercedes’ reticence to take a gamble in Mexico cost…