Carlos Sainz looked back on his commanding Grand Prix victory in Mexico and said he had achieved his goal of another race win with Ferrari as he prepares to leave the Scuderia at the end of the season.

Sainz will move to Williams next season and will be replaced at Ferrari by seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, who will drive alongside Charles Leclerc.

Sainz won in Mexico City by 4.705 seconds, ahead of McLaren's Lando Norris in second and teammate Leclerc in third. Ferrari scored a points haul that was good enough to overtake Red Bull in the constructors' championship and move within 29 points of leader McLaren.

“Honestly, I really wanted that,” said Sainz after the race. “I really needed it for myself and wanted to make it happen. I've said for some time that I wanted one more win before I leave Ferrari and to achieve it here in front of this mega crowd is incredible.”

“Now that there are four races left, I want to enjoy it as much as possible and if another (win) comes, I will try.”

“I felt the support of the Mexican fans all weekend, so I think speaking Spanish helps. It felt like they probably supported me after Checo (Sergio Perez).”

The 30-year-old Spaniard won his second race of the season in front of his family, in the presence of his mother, his girlfriend and his father, the racing driver Carlos Sainz Sr..

“From the moment I arrived in Mexico I felt that victory was possible. I knew my family would be visiting me this weekend, my mom would be there – I've never won a race with my mom ahead of me – – and my best friends are here and my dad and I thought, “Maybe there is.” “It’s something to cook this weekend” and I have to make the most of it.

“Everyone knew that I wanted another race win with Ferrari. I felt like I deserved it too. I rode well all year, gave it my all, kept my motivation high – even in difficult circumstances – and wanted to give it my all.” I won this team and I feel like I drove some really good races and had to win one more.

“It happened at some point and it had to happen in Mexico in front of my family – that doesn’t mean I won’t try to win more.”

Sainz started Sunday's race from pole position, but lost the lead to Max Verstappen on the way to the first corner.

Sainz regained the lead after the safety car restart when, in a stunning move, he lunged to the inside of Verstappen and reclaimed the spot. His lead didn't diminish for the rest of the race.

Regarding the Red Bull overtaking maneuver, he said: “At the beginning it just annoyed me that I lost a position with him and I had to surprise him in one way or another because Max is super difficult to overtake, which he already is has proven many times.”

“I was a bit far back but I had nothing to lose so I said I'll just send one inside. I was very confident braking into Turn 1 this weekend and knew I could do it.”

Verstappen finished sixth after falling behind with a 20-second penalty for an incident with title rival Norris. Norris finished second, reducing the points gap to 47 points with four races remaining.