Carlos Sainz wins dramatic Mexico GP; Lando Norris gains on Max Verstappen in F1 title

MEXICO CITY - Carlos Sainz beat Lando Norris at the Mexico City Grand Prix, where championship leader Max Verstappen finished sixth after being hit with two different penalties in the race.

Ferrari driver Sainz led comfortably after reclaiming the lead from Verstappen with a beautiful move at Turn 1 on Lap 9, but the drama of the race was created by the Dutchman.

Two laps later, Verstappen forced title rival Norris off the track as they battled for second position, before driving fully off the track further round the lap to reclaim the place.

"This guy is dangerous, I just had to avoid a crash," Norris told McLaren over the radio. "It's the same as last time."

The stewards agreed, handing Verstappen two 10-second penalties for either incident -- he served both at his one and only pit-stop, dropping right down the order in the process.

Norris finished second, passing Ferrari's Charles Leclerc in the closing stages as he went off the track, while Verstappen climbed back up to sixth by the finish.

The result means the Dutchman's title lead has dropped to 47 points with four races and two sprints remaining.