The second stop of Formula 1’s tour of the Americas brings us to the incredible Mexico City Grand Prix.

This unique track stands out for many reasons, but most importantly due to its geographical location, which significantly affects racing. Located in one of the highest altitude cities on the calendar, it offers a rare challenge for both drivers and teams, pushing the limits of their skills and strategies. Let’s examine the main features of this track, which teams can benefit from the high altitude and how the teams adapt to these challenging conditions.

Mexican GP track features

Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez track Mexico has a rich racing history and the layout has undergone numerous changes over the years. But what really makes this race weekend special is the passionate crowd. Every year, fans demonstrate their deep love for motorsport by creating an exciting atmosphere.

From a technical perspective, the most important feature of this track is its altitude. Located at a staggering altitude of 2,285 meters above sea level, thinner air with 20% less density has a profound effect on the aerodynamics of the car.

In Formula 1, the aerodynamic drag or lift produced by a wing is determined in part by the density of the air through which it moves. Because the air density is 20% lower in Mexico, the wings produce 20% less drag and downforce at the same speeds; This is a huge factor in the technological world of F1.

Additionally, airflow around the car behaves differently, requiring engineers to be very careful. Cooling the engine and brakes also becomes a real challenge; Therefore, we can expect changes to the engine covers and brake ducts.

Interestingly, despite the high downforce settings, we often see the season’s top speeds in Mexico exceeding 370 km/h. This says a lot about how effective altitude is. As a result, teams prioritize downforce and tire grip, while drag remains in the background.

The circuit is relatively short at 4.304km, meaning Sunday’s race will feature 71 laps. The first sector consists of two long straights (both with DRS zones) separated by a series of slow corners. Turn 1 is particularly tough, often leading to crashes on the first lap and frequent crashes later in the race as the tires cool down on the long straight. This is also the most important overtaking point, although overtaking opportunities are few due to lack of grip. Sector 2 is defined by a fast sequence of corners from Turn 7 to Turn 11, while the final sector is the shortest and slowest section where drivers prepare to overtake on the main straight.

When it comes to tyres, Pirelli’s logical choice is the softest compounds; C3 is hard, C4 is medium and C5 is the softest dough. Track development is important here because the track is not used frequently, which means it takes some time for the tires to get used to the imperfections in the asphalt.

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Who will adapt best to high altitude?

The team that will perform best in Mexico is the team with the most effective aerodynamics. Power unit power and drag reduction, among other technical elements, are less critical here.

However, we haven’t seen an F1 season this unpredictable in terms of team performance in a long time. The outcome is difficult to predict due to the impressive recent form of Ferrari and McLaren.

The MCL38 is thought to have the most efficient aerodynamics among the top-flight teams, which could give them an advantage. However, McLaren looked a bit lost in Texas and struggled to fully understand the impact of its latest upgrades. Much will depend on the balance of the car, but they will have more time to fine-tune this weekend than the previous week.

Ferrari, on the other hand, had the upper hand last weekend. Their upgrades in Azerbaijan have paid off and they currently look like the most consistent team on the grid; This is something we haven’t seen in a long time.

We must not forget Red Bull. Max Verstappen has the most wins here (a remarkable five) and this track is undoubtedly suitable for them. It wouldn’t be surprising if they adapted their cars to best suit the conditions.

Then there’s the Mercedes, which seems to be the slowest at the moment. first four teamsBut things can change quickly. The W15 received a few new parts last weekend and they probably needed more time to adjust the balance. With increased preparation time this weekend, they too can look to finish on the podium.

Beyond the big names, Aston Martin and VCARB are potential surprises. Red Bull’s youth team had a strong performance in Mexico last year, while Aston Martin’s car has good downforce levels.

One thing is for sure: an exciting racing weekend awaits us, with a great atmosphere and a fierce fight for the top step of the podium.

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