The Manor F1 Team wrote the next fantastic chapter in the Alexander Rossi versus Will Stevens story during the Mexican Grand Prix on Sunday.
The pair enjoyed a spectacular scrap throughout each of the race’s 71 laps at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez. Keeping everyone in the team on the edge of their seats and successfully culminating an impressive twelfth two-car finish for the team this season.
The American finished ahead of his team-mate in fifteenth in the Grand Prix.
“I got a great start and a good run down to the first corner,” said Rossi. “I was pleased to keep three world champions [Kimi Raikkonen, Jenson Button and Fernando Alonso] behind me for a time, however brief.
“Things started out well but a few laps in I was really struggling with the car on those tyres, so I was losing a very worrying amount of time. Thankfully, the next two stints on the Prime, then back on the Option were much better and I was really happy to be back in the fight.
“I was substantially quicker than the other car, so I closed the gap pretty quickly and was able to retake the place ahead. A couple of boxes ticked, finishing ahead and getting both cars to the finish here after a good race-long battle.
“The Mexico Grand Prix will definitely go down as one of my favourite races now. The crowd have been sensational and the race result is the icing on the cake. Off to Brazil now, I can’t wait.”
After struggling with tyres throughout the race, Stevens finished behind Rossi in an end result that wasn’t what he hoped for. The Britons thoughts are now focused on the final two races.
“I’m pretty disappointed with how the race ended for me, after running ahead of Alex for 46 laps of the race,” said Stevens. “I had a really good car at the start but we switched strategy from a two-stopper to a single stop.
“Which wasn’t good for me as I have been really happy with the car on the Option tyre all weekend but I’ve really struggled with the Prime. A long second stint on the Medium just didn’t work out. Alex and I had a great scrap today and although the end result wasn’t what I’d hoped for.
“I’ve had a much improved weekend after a couple of more disappointing races prior to this. I love Mexico and it was a great weekend; I can’t wait to come back. For now though, my thoughts are focused on the final two races.”
