The Formula 1 World Championship stays in the Americas this week for round 19, in Mexico City, which hosts the Grand Prix of the same name at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez. Scuderia Ferrari HP arrives in the Mexican capital off the back of encouraging form and progress made in recent races, aiming to secure another solid team result.
The altitude challenge. The Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez is unusual in that it is located 2,285 metres above sea level, thus presenting atmospheric conditions not encountered at any other round of the World Championship. The lower air density reduces drag, allowing the cars to reach very high speeds along the long main straight, but it also reduces aerodynamic efficiency and therefore downforce. The thinner air also makes it more complicated to cool the power unit and braking system.
The track. It features an extremely long start-finish straight, at the end of which drivers face one of the most demanding braking zones of the season, with a middle section featuring corners of varying speeds and a slower, more twisty final sector. One of its most distinctive features is the section that runs through the Foro Sol stadium, where thousands of spectators create an absolutely unique atmosphere. Tyre management will be another factor to keep an eye on: the the track surface is not very abrasive which favours strategies with relatively few pit stops, but the risk of overheating, particularly when following another car, can affect race pace and strategy choices.
Timetable. The Mexico City Grand Prix runs to the standard format, with three free practice sessions before qualifying. On Friday, the first two are scheduled for 12.30 (19.30 CET) and 16.00 (23.00 CET). On Saturday, the final free practice session gets underway at 11.30 (18.30 CET), while qualifying begins at 15.00 (22.00 CET). Sunday's Grand Prix, run over 71 laps of the 4.304-kilometre circuit, covering a total distance of 305.354 kilometres, gets underway at 14.00 local time (21.00 CET).
Fred Vasseur - Team Principal
The last few races have shown that we are moving in the right direction, but we need to continue working with the same focus and determination. Mexico is a very different challenge compared to Austin, with the altitude adding another variable to the way we have to manage the car throughout the weekend. In such a tight field, managing these conditions well can make a real difference. Our goal is to carry the positive momentum of the last few races into this weekend, keep pushing as a team and put ourselves in a position to fight for another strong result.
