Formula 1 returned from a four-week break with a thrilling tussle in the United States last week and we can look forward to more of the same as the circus moves to Mexico this weekend.
Charles Leclerc gained his third win of the season in Texas, leading home his Ferrari team-mate Carlos Sainz in a timely reminder that this championship is not just about Red Bull and McLaren.
Defending champion Max Verstappen extended his lead in the title race to 57 points thanks in part to a controversial penalty for Lando Norris that saw the Dutchman elevated to third place in Sunday's race.
Added to his victory in the Sprint on Saturday, that made it arguably the strongest weekend for Red Bull star Verstappen since he won seven of the first 10 races of the season.
It's back to a conventional weekend format in Mexico City, but the high altitude circuit is anything but conventional, so some more surprises may be in store.
- CHARLES LECLERC TO WIN MEXICO CITY GRAND PRIX
- LANDO NORRIS TO FINISH SECOND
- YUKI TSUNODA POINTS FINISH
Leclerc To Cement Ferrari Gains
Leclerc has not won back-to-back Grands Prix since his first two victories in Belgium and Italy in 2019, but there was so much to like about the manner of his success in Austin that the Ferrari ace looks worth backing to go in again this weekend.
Having got caught in traffic in the Sprint race, Leclerc dived into the lead from fourth on the grid at the first corner in the main event and controlled the race masterfully from the front thereafter.
Historically, Ferrari have struggled with tyre longevity, but that was not in evidence in Texas.
The fact that his team-mate Sainz was able to overhaul Verstappen during the pit stops and pull comfortably away certainly lends credence to that impression.
Leclerc started from pole position in Mexico last year, but his recent qualifying form suggests a repeat of that could be a struggle.
That's not necessarily a bad thing, though, as the long run to the first corner in Mexico can leave the front-row starters as sitting ducks to those getting a slipstream in behind.Â
Leclerc found that out for himself last year as he was swamped by the Red Bulls into the first turn and picked up some damage.
He looks well placed to make amends for that this year.
CHARLES LECLERC TO WINÂ
Norris May Have To Settle For Podium Return
Norris had been gradually reeling in Verstappen in the championship chase prior to last weekend but despite winning the Singapore Grand Prix by more than 20 seconds in his previous start, Norris never looked a likely winner in Texas.
He took his sixth pole position of the year somewhat fortunately, as Verstappen was forced to abandon a faster attempt, but for the fifth time this year the McLaren man was muscled out of the lead on the first lap.
McLaren had warned the Circuit of the Americas would not see them at their strongest, so a better display can be expected this weekend.
However, Norris has five second places and two wins this season, and another silver medal could await the Bristolian this weekend.
LANDO NORRIS TO FINISH SECOND
Tsunoda Ready To Bounce Back
Nothing went right for Yuki Tsunoda last weekend as the Japanese driver finished 14th after a harsh-looking penalty and a spin.
His RB team-mate Liam Lawson, making his first start of the season, scored points having started at the back.
That is encouraging as far as car performance is concerned and the team have scored some good results in Mexico in recent years.
Take Tsunoda to show his US performance was all wrong with a points finish.
YUKI TSUNODA POINTS FINISH
