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Verstappen was troubled by Renault cars 'blowing up'

Max Verstappen admits he was troubled by seeing other Renault-powered cars failing left and right as he comfortably led Sunday's Mexican GP.

The Red Bull driver muscled his way ahead at Turn 1, gaining the upper hand on Sebastian Vettel before pulling away and establishing a substantial lead which he was left to manage fairly easily for the remainder of the race.

"I could see a lot of cars blowing up and retiring so I was definitely a bit worried," said the 20-year-old who claimed his third career win in F1.

"We looked after our engine and everything seemed to work pretty well. I saw on the TV screen [teammate Daniel Ricciardo] had retired and I saw a Toro Rosso on fire.

Ricciardo unconsolable: 'The weekend's turned to crap'

"I thought ‘oh God, don’t make this happen to me’ – we turned the engine down. I have a new engine so maybe that helped, but Daniel had a new one too.

"I had my bad luck at the beginning of the year so I am very happy that this time nothing happened to me."

The Dutchman's dominant win was exactly what he needed after last weekend's disappointing penalty call in Austin.

"I knew the car was good but I didn’t know it was going to be this good," he said.

"After last week I was fired up and motivated to do well, and after yesterday I was giving it everything.

"I missed out on pole but I was determined to win this race, I gave it my all at the start and Turn 1.

"I had a great slipstream and was able to get alongside [Vettel] on the outside, we had a little touch, but from then onwards I could do my own race."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.