MAX MOMENTUM FOR RED BULL IN MEXICO

Verstappen’s impressive record, improving car give team confidence in hunt for points

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MEXICO CITY - After scrapping to a hard-fought podium ahead of title rival Lando Norris last weekend, Max Verstappen will seek to end a nine-race winless run on a favourite circuit at the Mexico Grand Prix on Oct 27.

Red Bull's series leader beat McLaren's Norris into third for the first time in five outings, albeit with the aid of some controversial stewards' decisions in Texas, to extend his lead to 57 points with five rounds of the 24-race Formula One championship remaining.

If that was not sufficient encouragement for him and Red Bull, who enjoyed an upswing in form as Ferrari dominated with a commanding one-two finish at the United States Grand Prix in Austin, Verstappen's impressive and breathless Mexican record should be.

The Dutchman has reeled off five wins from his last six visits to the high-altitude (more than 2,200m above sea level) Autodromo Hermano Rodriguez and is the only current driver, apart from seventime champion Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes (twice) to have won in the capital city.