Carlos Sainz achieved on Sunday a deeply meaningful victory in the Mexico City Grand Prix, one that marks a significant moment in his final season with Ferrari.
The superb triumph was not just a fourth career win in F1 for the Spaniard, but a symbolic way to end his journey with the Scuderia on a high, something he felt he deserved.
But there was also another layer of emotion attached to the day: Sainz's victory at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez was also the very first time he stood on the top step of the podium with his mother present to witness the achievement.
Sainz started the race from pole but lost the lead to Max Verstappen on the long run down to the first corner. Yet, he remained composed and strategic, reclaiming the top spot on Lap 9 with a DRS-assisted move at Turn 1.
From that point on, Sainz steadily built his lead, holding off pressure from his Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc and dealing with a late push from Lando Norris to secure victory.
Reflecting on his emotions after the race, Sainz emphasized the importance of concluding his four-year tenure with Ferrari on a high.
"It's just a matter of that I think everyone knew I wanted one more race win with Ferrari. I felt like I also deserved it," Sainz said.
"I've been driving well all year and I've been pushing flat out, keeping my motivation high even in a difficult circumstance, and wanting to give everything for this team.
"I felt like I drove some really good races and one more I had to win. Eventually, it happened and it had to be in Mexico, in front of my family, which is great.
"It doesn't mean that I'm not going to try and win more. But it had to be here."
For Sainz, having his family, especially his mother, at the venue was a very big emotional motivator.
“Since I arrived in Mexico, I had a feeling that the win was possible,” he said. “I knew my family was coming to see me here this weekend. My mom was going to be present. “I knew I hadn't won a race with my mother in front of me.”
"My best friends are here, my dad, and I was like 'there might be something cooking this weekend, and I need to make sure I do everything I can to win this race,'" he recalled.
However, it wasn't an easy win – or rather it hadn't started very positively. Sainz admitted that losing the lead to Verstappen at the start created unnecessary complications.
“Even though I made it a bit difficult with the start, then I made it stick with Max and I enjoyed that race from then onwards," he said, relishing the moment.
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