Mercedes-AMG Petronas

Good things come to those who wait.

Just look at the Mercedes-AMG One. A production version of the 1,063 hp hypercar finally made its big debut on Wednesday, five years after it was first announced. And based on our first look at the futuristic speed machine, the German marque’s sub-brand appears to have delivered exactly what it promised—a road car with Formula 1-quality performance.

Despite taking nearly a half decade to get here, the production model looks remarkably similar to the Project One concept unveiled at the 2017 International Motor Show Germany. And that’s not a bad thing: Low to the ground and with a wide track, the hypercar’s carbon-fiber body retains its progenitor’s curvaceous shape, including giant fenders in the front and rear. It has also held on to almost all of the original aerodynamic elements, including a roof scoop, shark fin and giant rear wing.

Mercedes-AMG

The One doesn’t look like a race car from the outside, but it does from the inside. The interior is stripped down, with almost none of the creature comforts you’d expect from AMG’s parent company. There’s room for just a driver and passenger, and everything has been done up in menacing matte black. There are two 10-inch displays, though. A digital instrument panel is positioned behind the Formula 1-style rectangular steering wheel, while an infotainment screen has been positioned in the center of the spartan dashboard. You can use the latter to navigate or check out what’s behind you via the its rear-view camera. The steering wheel and pedal box are also adjustable so the driver can find a position that feels just right.
Of course, what really separates the One from the rest of the AMG lineup is its Formula 1-derived, plug-in hybrid powertrain. At the heart of the boundary-pushing setup is the same mid-mounted, turbocharged 1.6-liter V-6 with a Motor Generator Unith (MGU-H) similar to the one you’ll find in Mercedes-AMG Petronas’s race cars. But the 574 hp engine—which is mated to a custom-made seven-speed automated manual transmission that sends power to the rear axle and has a 11,000 rpm redline—is only responsible for just over half of the hypercar’s power. The rest comes via the assistance four additional electric motors. One is directly mounted onto the engine, another onto the turbocharger, while the other two can be found on the front axle, one situated on each wheel. (The motors on the front axle also give the car all-wheel-drive capability.) As if that’s not enough, the system is connected to an 8.4 kWh battery pack that gives it 11 miles of electric range, should you need it.

Inside the One 

Mercedes-AMG

The turbocharged V-6 and four motors combine to generate a monstrous 1,063 hp, according to the automaker. That’s the grunt more than any other AMG vehicle before it—and more than had previously been expected. You’ll be able to feel all that power when you’re on the road, too. Mercedes says the One can rocket from zero to 62 mph in 2.9 seconds (and to 124 mph in seven seconds) on its way to a top speed of just shy of 219 mph.
Other racing-inspired features include the One’s multi-link suspension setup, which has push-rod coilovers and adaptive dampers. It’s nine-spoke magnesium forged wheels also come wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2R tires and are equipped with carbon ceramic brakes. Finally, the vehicle has a Drag Reduction System just like an Formula 1 car, which allows you to lower downforce by 20 percent so you can hit optimal speed on straight always.

Mercedes-AMG

Mercedes-AMG hasn’t revealed a price for the One as of writing, but you can expect it to cross well into the seven-figure range. The exclusive model—AMG will make just 275 examples, all of which are already spoken for—is slated to go into production later this year. Only time will tell, but we suspect those lucky enough to have already secured theirs will feel it was more than worth the wait.
Check out more photos of the One below:

Mercedes-AMG

While Formula 1’s groundswell of newfound popularity in the United States is growing exponentially, fueled further by the inaugural Miami Grand Prix earlier this month, one overseas race in the series transcends all of motorsport. Since its debut in 1929, the Monaco Grand Prix has come to embody exclusivity and a lavish lifestyle—an event emblazoned on the psyche and calendars of both the jet-set and ardent gearheads alike.

Of late, one Formula 1 team in particular has seen its own renown rise in tandem with that of the event itself. Mercedes-AMG Petronas has taken every World Constructors’ Championship title since 2014, along with its driver Lewis Hamilton garnering a record-tying seven Drivers’ championships, six of which have been with Mercedes.

For the next running of the fabled race, which takes place on May 29, the official hospitality partner of the team, Marriott Bonvoy, is offering its rewards members a rare opportunity to enjoy the race from the Mercedes-AMG Petronas yacht and stay four nights at the JW Marriott Cannes, all part of its Monaco Grand Prix VIP package.

To help get the word out, the newest member of the Mercedes team, racer George Russell, recently spoke with Robb Report. The 24-year-old phenom, who came over from the Williams team this season, is no stranger to Mercedes, having been a junior driver under its banner a few years back. Recently finishing third in Australia and currently ranked fourth overall, Russell shares what it has been like switching sides, adjusting to the new mandated car modifications, and why the Monaco Grand Prix is so monumental.

Formula 1 racer George Russell of the Mercedes-AMG Petronas team. 

Jiri Krenek, courtesy of Marriott Bonvoy.

How has the transition been from the Williams team to Mercedes-AMG Petronas, and what has been the greatest challenge, if any?
The transition between the two teams has actually been pretty smooth. I think that’s because I’ve been part of the Mercedes family for quite some time now and already knew everybody so well, but for sure, it’s been fantastic to see how this team operates. For me, it’s easy to understand straightaway why it’s been so successful for so long.

New teammates Lewis Hamilton and George Russell. 

Marriott Bonvoy

In your opinion, how does the Monaco Grand Prix stand out from other races in the season, and what makes it so special?
The Monaco Grand Prix is one of the most iconic sporting events in the world, if not the most iconic. It’s just such a surreal location. At the top of the hill, before turn No. 2, you look down and see the cliffs, the harbor and all of these superyachts everywhere, right on the sidelines of the racetrack. And to think you have 20 Formula 1 cars driving around at 200 mph in the midst of all of the houses. As a driver, when you race around the circuit and see the people standing from their balconies up 20 to 30 stories, it’s just such a unique experience. It feels like something from a movie. [As a fan], it’s something you need to say you’ve done, to have experienced Monaco during the Grand Prix weekend—it’s truly something else.

Do you approach the race differently than you do others in the season?
You have to approach Monaco with a bit more respect, especially during practice, compared to another circuit. It’s so thrilling because we’re driving 200 mph between areas that are just 10 meters wide. You’re having to be millimeter-perfect lap after lap, so your concentration level is on the limit. If you’re a millimeter out, you end up in the wall, and that is the end of your session; huge amounts of damage and it really puts you on the back foot for the rest of the weekend. But by the time you get to qualifying, you’re absolutely flat out and have one vision, the walls are almost a blur. It’s just so exhilarating. It’s definitely among my top three favorite races.

Russell competing at the 2021 Monaco Grand Prix for Williams Racing. 

Hoch Zwei/picture-alliance/dpa/AP Images

And the other two would be?
One of my favorites is Silverstone, my home race. The fans are incredible. It’s an amazing circuit and I have a lot of positive memories there from when I was younger. The other one would probably be Austin, it’s a really vibrant city and, again, the fans are just awesome.
What are some of the pros and cons of all the modifications to the cars this season?
With all the changes to the car this year, it’s been very challenging for a number of teams. We’re struggling with the bouncing of the car, which is a new phenomenon that we’ve never experienced before. There’s so much force sucking the cars to the ground, then you hit the ground and the car reacts, and then you come down again.
That’s been a real challenge because we’re having to run the cars much higher to not get into this scenario, and then we just lose performance. The team members are working their socks off day and night to try and resolve this issue and find a solution. So from a driver’s perspective, that’s been very different because you don’t feel very settled within the car when you’re bouncing around so much; you feel it in the back and through your neck and head.

A look at Lewis Hamilton’s Mercedes-AMG Petronas race car, newly modified to meet regulation requirements for the 2022 season. 

Marriott Bonvoy

Overall, how do these machines differ from their predecessors?

Generally, these cars are much slower than those of previous eras, and there are a number of reasons for that. One is that there’s been an increase in weight because of safety, and the cars are much stronger this year, which makes us feel more secure. But, obviously, from a driver’s perspective, you want the lightest and fastest car possible. Then, with this ground effect underneath the floor, you have more performance when the car is going faster, compared to last year, but when the car is going slower, there’s not quite as much downforce as before. In time, when teams start developing the cars [with new stipulated changes] more and more, we will get back to the lap times we saw in previous eras. But it’s a step behind where it was last year.
How does the partnership between Marriot Bonvoy and Mercedes-AMG Petronas benefit you personally?
Getting to stay in a luxurious hotel is a huge part of it for us. We travel around the world, and there’s so much preparation that goes into the race weekend, along with the millions spent. As a performance group, we put so much effort and energy into getting every single last detail optimized on the race car that to be going into a hotel and not having a good night’s sleep just seems ridiculous. With the Marriott Bonvoy group and the Ritz-Carlton, we’re looked after brilliantly, and it really does bring performance. If you have a bad night’s sleep, you’re not going to be at the top of your game.

Aboard the Mercedes-AMG Petronas team’s yacht in Monaco. 

Jiri Krenek, courtesy of Marriott Bonvoy

What is your favorite travel destination?
I love the United States, it’s a place I haven’t explored enough of. I’ve been to California, to Los Angeles, and love the climate and the people. Apart from the States, I’d say Northern Italy, around the lakes.
What are your thoughts on the Marriott Bonvoy Monaco Grand Prix VIP Package being offered?
You’d be silly not to sign up. You have to get it off your bucket list, and this is such an incredible opportunity.

The yacht’s main salon offers another viewing option for the race. 

Marriott Bonvoy

What message do you have for any kid who wants to become a Formula 1 racer?

Work hard, don’t give up and believe in yourself. It’s as simple as that. Practice, practice, practice, and don’t be afraid to make mistakes—you learn from your mistakes. But first and foremost, just work hard.

The 2021 Formula 1 season may be in its final week, but a new model can help distract you until the competition returns next spring.

Amalgam Collection has just unveiled a new series of hand-built Formula 1 models led by a quarter-size recreation of Lewis Hamilton’s Mercedes-AMG F1 W11 EQ Performance car. The collection’s limited-edition flagship sports the same livery the seven-time champion’s racer was wearing when he passed Michael Schumacher to become the winningest driver in the competition’s history at the 2020 Portuguese Grand Prix.

The product of three years of development, the W11 was Mercedes-AMG’s attempt to overcome its long-term struggles with cornering. It’s fair to say it did that—and then some. The racer was driven by Hamilton during the Covid-19-shortened 2020 F1 season and helped him claim 11 first-place finishes, which helped Mercedes win the Constructors Championship and earned Hamilton his record-tying seventh Drivers’ Championship. The car also completed the fastest pole position lap in history at the Italian Grand Prix, a record that could stand for years because of rule changes implemented this season.

Amalgam Collection’s 1:4 scale recreation of Lewis Hamilton’s Mercedes-AMG F1 W11 EQ Performance Formula 1 car 

Amalgam Collection

Amalgam Collection is famous for its double take-inducing models, but it’s really outdone itself here. While most of the company’s offerings are 1:8 or 1:12 scale models, the W11 was built at 1:4 scale and measures 49 inches from nose to rear wing. It features thousands of precisely machined parts and a beautifully detailed recreation of the Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team livery. Amalgam wanted to make sure it got everything just right, so it used CAD designs provided by the Mercedes-AMG Petronas team, and spent 4,500 hours developing the model. Each car also takes 450 hours to build.
Craftsmanship of this quality comes at a cost, of course. The quarter-size W11 race car will soon be available for $34,943 though the Amalgam website. If you’re interested, we’d let the company know sooner than later because only seven examples will be built at its Bristol, UK, workshop. It’s also a whole lot less expensive than an actual Hamilton-driven F1 car.
Check out more images of the 1:8 scale W11 below:

Amalgam Collection

Amalgam Collection

Amalgam Collection

Amalgam Collection

Amalgam Collection

The 20 cars launch from the starting grid like angry hornets from a hive, the din of their turbocharged 1.6-liter V-6 engines quickly diminishing as the racers catapult down the opening straightaway of Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, marking the start of Formula 1’s 2021 Mexico City Grand Prix. As a first-time attendee, I have numerous questions. Surprisingly, however, the biggest at the moment is whether to stay against the railing, immediately above pit lane, or go in for another glass of Champagne at the Ritz-Carlton’s exclusive Silver Arrows Lounge—part of a winning partnership between the hotel chain and the Mercedes-AMG Petronas racing team.

It’s a collaboration that began in 2019 with the Montreal Grand Prix, where Ritz-Carlton became the first official hospitality provider for Formula 1’s current constructors’ champion. Although the alliance survived Covid last season, the general public was persona non grata at any of the contests, but everything’s back in full gear now and the affiliation is mutually beneficial for select fans and the sport’s top racer alike.

Mercedes-AMG Petronas returned to compete in the 2021 Mexico City Grand Prix on November 7. 

Photo by LAT Images, courtesy of the Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, LLC.

“I’m probably going to 30 countries within the year,” notes seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton, in a conversation with Robb Report a few days prior to the race. Hamilton, who has been with Mercedes since 2013, goes on to explain that “what’s really, really important for me, and I think all of us on the team—the 100-plus of us traveling around the world—are home comforts. And the Ritz-Carlton goes so far out of the way for us; they try to make it more home.”

Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes-AMG Petronas, seven-time winner of Formula 1’s World Drivers’ Championship. 

Photo by Edgard Garrido, Pool Photo via AP.

For the most successful racer in Formula 1 history, though, one element of hospitality trumps all others. “I travel a lot with my dog Roscoe, and they [the Ritz-Carlton] have a bed for him and end up putting toys in the room, so as soon as we walk in, Roscoe knows where he’s staying,” says Hamilton. “And if I need someone to take Roscoe out, for example, they are always there to give a helping hand—it feels like family, to be honest.” Hamilton also mentions that, in return, his team is “at all these great races and destinations and we’re highlighting the brand on more than 23 occasions throughout the year.”

Lewis Hamilton with his dog Roscoe at last year’s Turkish Grand Prix. 

Photo by Hasan Bratic/picture-alliance/dpa/AP Images.

When it comes to this particular race, the brand’s exposure is in overdrive with the opening of the first Ritz-Carlton in Mexico City only the week before. The 58-story tower flanks Paseo de Reforma in the financial district and houses 153 guest rooms, a full-service spa facility, a 24-hour fitness center and two restaurants, including the top floor’s Asian-themed Ling Ling by Hakkasan.

The 58-story Ritz-Carlton, Mexico City (left) opened just over a week before the race. 

Photo: Courtesy of the Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, LLC.

According to Donna McNamara, vice president & global brand leader for the Ritz-Carlton, the hotel “marks a particularly exciting moment for the brand as we made our foray into an incredible city rich with opportunities for immersive cultural exploration and discovery.” But to be expected, there have been some hiccups since the debut, admits general manager Luis Lopez, but the minor glitches, like the temporary lack of hairdryers and shower-door seals that do anything but, obviously didn’t deter numerous Formula 1 fans from making the impressive new addition to the skyline their basecamp.

A corner suite in the new Ritz-Carlton, Mexico City. 

Photo by Paco Alvarez/Chapi Chapo Design, courtesy of the Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, LLC.

Yet not all ticket-holding guests have access to the Ritz’s racetrack amenities, such as VIP tours of pit lane and entry to the Silver Arrows Lounge—that’s reserved for an elite few with the appropriate status in parent company Marriott’s loyalty program, Marriott Bonvoy. Those who have accrued enough points can unlock Marriott Bonvoy Moments packages and Ritz-Carlton Ultimate Weekend offerings that include rarified Formula 1 experiences through the Mercedes team that can’t be purchased otherwise.

The Ritz-Carlton’s exclusive Silver Arrows Lounge at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez. 

Photo: Courtesy of the Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, LLC.

Those who made the loyalty grade for the 18th race of the season were witnesses to quite the motorsport spectacle, as national hero and Red Bull Racing’s Sergio “Checo” Perez, from Guadalajara, went into the weekend with the country on his shoulders. Perez, who most recently took third place at the United States Grand Prix in Austin, Tex., earned fourth position in Saturday’s qualifying round, with the third spot going to the season’s current overall leader and teammate Max Verstappen. The Red Bull racers had finished behind Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas, also with Mercedes, the latter earning pole position for the next day.

Valtteri Bottas, of Mercedes-AMG Petronas, celebrates taking pole position. 

Photo by Jiri Krenek, courtesy of the Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, LLC.

During the actual race on Sunday, though, the first turn provides all the drama. As Verstappen overtakes his rivals on the outside corner, Bottas spins after getting bumped by McLaren’s Daniel Ricciardo, which causes a ripple of mayhem. Simultaneously, Perez is forced through the grass while Yuki Tsunoda of Alpha Tauri and Mick Schumacher of Haas are swept up in the chaos and sent to the showers early. The order at the top doesn’t jockey around much after that, though Verstappen makes a dash for the pits on lap 34, temporarily relinquishing the lead to Perez for six laps, as chants of “Checo” erupt throughout the stadium and grandstands along the roughly 2.6-mile circuit.

Alpha Tauri team racer Yuki Tsunoda gets knocked out of contention around the first turn at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez. 

Photo by AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo.

Inside the Silver Arrows Lounge on the Paddock Club’s second level, the action is broadcast on a massive display and smaller screens as analysts from Mercedes narrate and provide insights on the events as they unfold. All the while, uniformed wait staff deliver lobster tail, ravioli and sushi along with premium tequila and bubbly to tables already laden with bottles of Bordeaux.

Red Bull Racing’s Max Verstappen in front of Mercedes-AMG’s Lewis Hamilton and Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez, the order of the top three finishers in Mexico City. 

Photo by AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo.

But as compelling as the lounge proves to be, it’s no competition for the seats immediately outside during the final minutes, and the room nearly empties. From lap 40 on, Verstappen has again held the lead while No. 44 for Mercedes tries to not only reign him in, but keep the very real threat from Perez at bay. After 71 laps, however, Verstappen takes the checkered flag with ease and it becomes clear that the majority of those at the track are Red Bull zealots, especially after Perez takes the podium for third place, finishing just behind Hamilton.

Winning driver Max Verstappen celebrates with Sergio Perez after the race. 

Photo by AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo.

With four more races to go, Mercedes has a mere one point lead overall in the 10-team standings while, on the drivers’ side, Verstappen extends his margin over Hamilton by 19 points. The next showdown is November 14 in Brazil and, regardless of the outcome, the Champagne will still be flowing in that venue’s Ritz-Carlton Silver Arrows Lounge well after it’s been sprayed by the winning racer.

Learn more about Robb Report’s 2022 Car of the Year events taking place in Napa Valley here and in Boca Raton here.

The 20 cars launch from the starting grid like angry hornets from a hive, the din of their turbocharged 1.6-liter V-6 engines quickly diminishing as the racers catapult down the opening straightaway of Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, marking the start of Formula 1’s 2021 Mexico City Grand Prix. As a first-time attendee, I have numerous questions. Surprisingly, however, the biggest at the moment is whether to stay against the railing, immediately above pit lane, or go in for another glass of Champagne at the Ritz-Carlton’s exclusive Silver Arrows Lounge—part of a partnership between the hotel chain and the Mercedes-AMG Petronas racing team.

It’s a collaboration that began in 2019 with the Montreal Grand Prix, where Ritz-Carlton became the first official hospitality provider for Formula 1’s current constructors’ champion. Although the alliance survived Covid last season, the general public was persona non grata at any of the contests, but everything’s back in full gear now and the affiliation is mutually beneficial for select fans and the sport’s top racer alike.

Mercedes-AMG Petronas returned to compete in the 2021 Mexico City Grand Prix on November 7. 

Photo by LAT Images, courtesy of the Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, LLC.

“I’m probably going to 30 countries within the year,” notes seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton, in a conversation with Robb Report a few days prior to the race. Hamilton, who has been with Mercedes since 2013, goes on to explain that “what’s really, really important for me, and I think all of us on the team—the 100-plus of us traveling around the world—are home comforts. And the Ritz-Carlton goes so far out of the way for us; they try to make it more home.”

Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes-AMG Petronas, seven-time winner of Formula 1’s World Drivers’ Championship. 

Photo by Edgard Garrido, Pool Photo via AP.

For the most successful racer in Formula 1 history, though, one element of hospitality trumps all others. “I travel a lot with my dog Roscoe, and they [the Ritz-Carlton] have a bed for him and end up putting toys in the room, so as soon as we walk in, Roscoe knows where he’s staying,” says Hamilton. “And if I need someone to take Roscoe out, for example, they are always there to give a helping hand—it feels like family, to be honest.” Hamilton also mentions that, in return, his team is “at all these great races and destinations and we’re highlighting the brand on more than 23 occasions throughout the year.”

Lewis Hamilton with his dog Roscoe at last year’s Turkish Grand Prix. 

Photo by Hasan Bratic/picture-alliance/dpa/AP Images.

When it comes to this particular race, the brand’s exposure is in overdrive with the opening of the first Ritz-Carlton in Mexico City only the week before. The 58-story tower flanks Paseo de Reforma in the financial district and houses 153 guest rooms, a full-service spa facility, a 24-hour fitness center and two restaurants, including the top floor’s Asian-themed Ling Ling by Hakkasan.

The 58-story Ritz-Carlton, Mexico City (left) opened just over a week before the race. 

Photo: Courtesy of the Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, LLC.

According to Donna McNamara, vice president and global brand leader for the Ritz-Carlton, the hotel “marks a particularly exciting moment for the brand as we made our foray into an incredible city rich with opportunities for immersive cultural exploration and discovery.” But to be expected, there have been some hiccups since the debut, admits general manager Luis Lopez. The minor glitches—like the temporary lack of hairdryers and shower-door seals that do anything but—obviously didn’t deter numerous Formula 1 fans from making the impressive new addition to the skyline their basecamp.

A corner suite in the new Ritz-Carlton, Mexico City. 

Photo by Paco Alvarez/Chapi Chapo Design, courtesy of the Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, LLC.

Yet not all ticket-holding guests have access to the Ritz’s racetrack amenities, such as VIP tours of pit lane and entry to the Silver Arrows Lounge—that’s reserved for an elite few with the appropriate status in parent company Marriott’s loyalty program, Marriott Bonvoy. Those who have accrued enough points can unlock Marriott Bonvoy Moments packages and Ritz-Carlton Ultimate Weekend offerings that include rarified Formula 1 experiences through the Mercedes team that can’t be purchased otherwise.

The Ritz-Carlton’s exclusive Silver Arrows Lounge at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez. 

Photo: Courtesy of the Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, LLC.

Those who made the loyalty grade for the 18th race of the season were witnesses to quite the motorsport spectacle, as national hero and Red Bull Racing’s Sergio “Checo” Perez, from Guadalajara, went into the weekend with the country on his shoulders. Perez, who most recently took third place at the United States Grand Prix in Austin, Tex., earned fourth position in Saturday’s qualifying round, with the third spot going to the season’s current overall leader and teammate Max Verstappen. The Red Bull racers had finished behind Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas, also with Mercedes, the latter earning pole position for the next day.

Valtteri Bottas, of Mercedes-AMG Petronas, celebrates taking pole position. 

Photo by Jiri Krenek, courtesy of the Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, LLC.

During the actual race on Sunday, though, the first turn provides all the drama. As Verstappen overtakes his rivals on the outside corner, Bottas spins after getting bumped by McLaren’s Daniel Ricciardo, which causes a ripple of mayhem. Simultaneously, Perez is forced through the grass while Yuki Tsunoda of Alpha Tauri and Mick Schumacher of Haas are swept up in the chaos and sent to the showers early. The order at the top doesn’t jockey around much after that, though Verstappen makes a dash for the pits on lap 34, temporarily relinquishing the lead to Perez for six laps, as chants of “Checo” erupt throughout the stadium and grandstands along the roughly 2.6-mile circuit.

Alpha Tauri team racer Yuki Tsunoda gets knocked out of contention around the first turn at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez. 

Photo by AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo.

Inside the Silver Arrows Lounge on the Paddock Club’s second level, the action is broadcast on a massive display and smaller screens as analysts from Mercedes narrate and provide insights on the events as they unfold. All the while, uniformed wait staff deliver lobster tail, ravioli and sushi along with premium tequila and bubbly to tables already laden with bottles of Bordeaux.

Red Bull Racing’s Max Verstappen in front of Mercedes-AMG’s Lewis Hamilton and Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez, the order of the top three finishers in Mexico City. 

Photo by AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo.

But as compelling as the lounge proves to be, it’s no competition for the seats immediately outside during the final minutes, and the room nearly empties. From lap 40 on, Verstappen has again held the lead while No. 44 for Mercedes tries to not only reign him in, but keep the very real threat from Perez at bay. After 71 laps, however, Verstappen takes the checkered flag with ease and it becomes clear that the majority of those at the track are Red Bull zealots, especially after Perez takes the podium for third place, finishing just behind Hamilton.

Winning driver Max Verstappen celebrates with Sergio Perez after the race. 

Photo by AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo.

With four more races to go, Mercedes has a mere one point lead overall in the 10-team standings while, on the drivers’ side, Verstappen extends his margin over Hamilton by 19 points. The next showdown is November 14 in Brazil and, regardless of the outcome, the Champagne will still be flowing in that venue’s Ritz-Carlton Silver Arrows Lounge well after it’s been sprayed by the winning racer.

Learn more about Robb Report’s 2022 Car of the Year events taking place in Napa Valley here and in Boca Raton here.