Max Verstappen’s Lap One Antics at Mexican GP Earn Praise from Former Ferrari Man Gino Rosato
Max Verstappen’s dramatic first lap at the Mexican Grand Prix caught the attention of the paddock, including former Ferrari man Gino Rosato, who applauded the Dutchman’s exceptional car control during a chaotic start. Starting fifth on the grid, Verstappen found himself involved in a thrilling four-wide battle at the end of the main straight, alongside Ferrari’s drivers and Lando Norris.
Heading into the Mexican GP, Verstappen was focused on reducing his 40-point deficit to the top of the drivers’ standings. With championship leader Oscar Piastri starting a disappointing seventh, Verstappen had a prime opportunity to close the gap. Although Verstappen himself began the race in fifth, he was aiming for at least a podium finish.
A Lightning Start and Bold Move
Verstappen got off the line with a lightning-fast getaway, overtaking George Russell on the approach to turn one. As the on-track chaos unfolded, Verstappen chose to avoid the potential collision by cutting across the grass. This bold maneuver did not go unnoticed. Gino Rosato took to Instagram to praise Verstappen’s skill, captioning a video of the incident:
“How good is Max Verstappen with an F1 car to maneuver in this way to bring back the car on track!! Should have got a +10 sec prize 🙏🏻🙏🏻😂😂”
Despite having to concede the positions he gained while going across the grass, Verstappen managed to stay ahead of George Russell, who expressed frustration over the reigning champion retaining fourth place at the start.
Verstappen Responds to Controversy Post-Race
Following the race, there was much discussion within the paddock about whether Verstappen’s lap one actions provided him with an unfair advantage. During post-race media interviews, Verstappen addressed these claims directly, stating:
“It was just very hectic in a lot of different scenarios, and I felt like I didn’t do anything wrong. On the medium tyre, it was a big struggle for everyone, but once on the soft, it looked more competitive.”
He stood firm that his driving was within the rules and that the chaotic start contributed to the incidents.
Championship Standings After the Mexican GP
While Verstappen gained valuable points and closed the gap to his rivals, the lead in the drivers’ standings shifted to Lando Norris. The British driver dominated the Mexican GP by leading every single one of the 71 laps, securing a crucial victory.
As a result, Verstappen now sits 36 points behind Norris with just four race weekends remaining in the 2025 season. The championship battle intensifies as the season heads into its final stages.
https://www.sportskeeda.com/f1/news-ferrari-icon-showers-praise-max-verstappen-s-first-lap-antics-mexican-gp
