Berlin, 30 October 2023 (dpa/MIA) - Champion Max Verstappen of Red Bull has claimed a single-season record 16th Formula One win at the Mexican Grand Prix on Sunday, breaking his own record of 15 victories set in the 2022 season.

It's another major record for the Dutchman, who earlier this season set a new milestone of 10 consecutive F1 wins, dethroning four-time champion and now retired Sebastian Vettel.

"We are experiencing an incredible season, the pace of the car was very, very good," Verstappen said.

Verstappen started the race in Mexico in third but had a great start to take the lead from pole-sitter Charles Leclerc of Ferrari.

The Dutchman also had no issues to hold back Leclerc in a standing restart following a red flag period after Kevin Magnussen of Haas suffered a big crash.

"We tried to do a different strategy to everyone else but thanks to the red flag we couldn't show it," the race winner said.

Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes was second, while Leclerc completed the podium in third.

"A big thank you to this incredible crowd, I love coming to this city. This is a great result considering we started sixth, it's been a difficult couple of weeks and to bounce back from last week - well done to the team," Hamilton said.

Verstappen claimed a third consecutive title earlier this month at the Qatar Grand Prix, while his Red Bull team have also already sealed a second straight constructors' championship as team and driver have dominated the season.

Sergio Perez, in the other Red Bull however, haven't had the same great season as his team-mate and suffered a major setback in his home race.

The Mexican driver tried to take advantage of the dispute between Leclerc and Verstappen at the start, but he collided with the Ferrari and was punted into the air.

Perez immediately returned to the pits but the mechanics soon realized there was no repair and he was forced to retire in front of his home crowd.

"I had nowhere to go, I was between the two Red Bulls and unfortunately I touched Checo, but I had nowhere to go. It's life, of course I'm disappointed but I didn't do it on purpose and I had nowhere to go," Leclerc said.

The race was interrupted for some 25 minutes on lap 34 after Magnussen crashed. The driver was unharmed, but his car was heavily damaged and needed recovering.

Carlos Sainz in the other Ferrari was fourth, with Lando Norris of McLaren right behind in fifth. Norris had a fantastic race, making up his way through the grid after he started 17th.

George Russell of Mercedes was sixth, Daniel Ricciardo was seventh, while Oscar Piastri in the other McLaren, Alex Albon of Williams and Alpine's Esteban Ocon completed the top 10.

F1 next heads to São Paulo for the Brazilian Grand Prix on November 5.

Photo: EPA