Max Verstappen claimed victory at the 2026 Mexican Grand Prix, a race that also saw Kimi Antonelli secure his maiden Formula 1 World Championship. The Red Bull driver’s win at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez occurred while his GT racing teammates, Jules Gounon and Dani Juncadella, were present in the paddock as his guests.
The Mexican Grand Prix, the 19th round of the 2026 F1 season, was marked by chaotic incidents, including a red flag and multiple post-race penalties. Verstappen finished ahead of Lewis Hamilton, who took second place, and Antonelli, who completed the podium in third. Charles Leclerc secured fourth position, with Lando Norris in fifth and George Russell in sixth.
Verstappen’s victory followed a demanding period that included his participation in the GT World Challenge Europe season finale. He competed at the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve in Portimão, Portugal, on October 17, 2026. Driving the No. 3 Mercedes-AMG GT3 EVO for his own Verstappen Racing team, he shared duties with Ben Barnicoat and Chris Lulham.
During the Portimão event, Verstappen started from 24th position due to a penalty incurred during Lulham’s stint and a subsequent safety car period. He executed a recovery drive, advancing to ninth place by the chequered flag. This appearance generated significant public interest, with live coverage attracting 9.7 million views on YouTube.
The presence of Gounon and Juncadella in Mexico underscored their close working relationship with Verstappen. The trio, along with Lucas Auer, previously competed together in the 24 Hours of Nürburgring in May 2026, driving the #3 Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo. That endurance race concluded prematurely for their team due to a technical issue three hours from the finish.
Gounon and Juncadella have publicly praised Verstappen’s technical input and dedication to their GT racing efforts. Gounon noted that Verstappen frequently reviews live onboard footage of their races, providing direct feedback on their performance. Juncadella recalled Verstappen conducting a late-night debrief after a challenging race in Malaysia, despite his own Formula 1 commitments.
The 2026 Formula 1 season has presented a rigorous schedule, featuring a record-tying 24 races and multiple triple-headers. The calendar includes an American triple-header comprising the United States, Mexican, and Brazilian Grands Prix. This demanding schedule has contributed to a rise in illness among paddock personnel.
Ahead of the Mexican Grand Prix, Kimi Antonelli and Valtteri Bottas were confirmed to have viral illnesses, resulting in their absence from media day. Dr. Elina Haukipuro, a paddock physician, highlighted the physiological strain imposed by the intense schedule, noting that nine races in 11 weeks push drivers to their physical limits. Verstappen, however, avoided illness by adhering to strict preventative measures, including using bottled water for oral hygiene, avoiding ice, and consuming only circuit-provided catering.
The F1 season continues with a final triple-header, featuring races in Las Vegas, Qatar, and Abu Dhabi. These events will conclude the 2026 championship campaign.
