The FIA has issued a statement following the deployment of the Virtual Safety Car in the final moments of the Mexican Grand Prix.

As Max Verstappen reeled in Charles Leclerc, Carlos Sainz' days was going from bad to worse.

Already carrying over a grid penalty following his collision with Kimi Antonelli at COTA, the Spaniard was hit with a 5s penalty for speeding in the pitlane during his first stop. On making his second stop he was again found guilty of speeding in the pitlane and hit with a drive-through.

Just a few laps from the end of the race the Spaniard stopped in the stadium and moments later the VSC was deployed meaning that Verstappen had to hold station.

Frustration grew, for even though the Williams appeared to be out of harm's way the VSC period continued, only to be lifted halfway through the final lap, too late for the Dutchman to mount a serious challenge.

"On lap 70, Sainz spun and stopped in the run-off area on the outside of Turn 14," explained the FIA in a statement. "His car came to a halt in an exposed position.

"The car subsequently began smoking and race control received notifications of fire, making it clear that marshal intervention would be required for recovery.

"As is standard procedure when marshals are deployed to recover a car, the race is neutralized, in this case, a Virtual Safety Car (VSC) was triggered until the car was moved to a safe location behind the barriers.

"The VSC ended as soon as the car was in a protected position, and the race concluded under green-flag conditions."

While fans were left frustrated, the move was a great relief to Leclerc.

"I was quite happy about the Safety Car at the end," laughed the Ferrari driver. "My tyres were completely gone and Max was coming back on the softer tyre, so it was tough. But I think the Safety Car saved me at the end."

"You win some, you lose some, right?" said Verstappen. "Sometimes the Safety Car works for you, and sometimes it works against you."

Check out our Sunday gallery from Mexico City here.

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by trackrecords, 28/10/2025 4:31

"@ equator180 I thought it was a brilliant cliffhanger ending. Max being restrained by a VSC, and Bearman able to get 4th for minnows, Haas. Quite poetic justice as Max has benefited once too often by a SC period as it is. Besides, if Abu Dhabi has a 3-way shootout, don't complain - its better than the title being confirmed much too early?"

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2. Posted by equator180, 27/10/2025 17:31

"A real piece of "you know what," in what could have been an outstanding ending to a very poorly visual and vocal presentation of an F1 race."

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FIA explains late VSC deployment

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