Beating Max Verstappen, Charles Leclerc Upholds Ayrton Senna’s 34-Year Old Mexican GP Legacy

“Everyone is a Ferrari fan. Even if they say they are not Ferrari fans, they are Ferrari fans” said the 4X champion Sebastian Vettel. And we believe that every Tifosi around the world will be celebrating after the Mexican GP qualifying result. However, not only the Tifosi but every fan around the world as Charles Leclerc upholds Ayrton Senna’s years-old legacy by beating Max Verstappen. But what exactly happened?

The Mexican GP isn’t unique just because of its elevation, but also because of the Ayrton Senna legacy that it upholds. Ayrton Senna was the last driver to score back-to-back poles at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez back in 1989. 34 years on, the dominant Max Verstappen looked like the one to crush Senna’s legacy. But Charles Leclerc wouldn’t let that happen.

Verstappen topped the final practice session just before the qualifying. The Dutchman looked set to take the pole position as he dominated Q1 and Q2. Going into Q3, the Ferraris out of nowhere found a ton of pace as Leclerc beat Verstappen to the pole position. Even Carlos Sainz finished P2 in the other Ferrari as the Dutch Lion was left with a sorry P3, not being able to take away from Senna’s legacy.

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Ferrari however, has had the pace to secure the pole position many times during the year. But it’s the race where they fall back. Charles Leclerc however had the fighting spirit that he’ll be taking into the race tomorrow.

Will Charles Leclerc and Co. be able to overcome their Achilles Heel at the 2023 Mexican GP main race?

Ferrari has struggled year-round with their race pace. The SF23 isn’t able to look after its tires as well as the Red Bull is able to. The same was the case in Monza where both the Ferrari started in the Top 3 but just weren’t a match for Max Verstappen’s Red Bull when it came to tire wear. The Scuderia had to concede the win and only managed P3 and P4.

However, the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez is unique. The track surface is very smooth with the tirewear not being that big of a factor. We saw many cars on a one-stop strategy last year. Max Verstappen extended his medium over 40 laps last year. Ferrari will be hoping for similar tire wear this year as well. Charles Leclerc in his post-qualifying interview was shocked with the pole but promised to give it his all for the race win come Sunday. 

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With the tire wear expected to be low, the Ferraris stand a chance to take the win at the Mexican GP.