Mexico – Preview: A second hat trick for Hamilton this season to clinch the title?

« Running at home means a lot to me. There is an enormous amount of passion and the whole week is a big celebration. Everyone in Mexico is waiting for the race. The track is very nice and going through these long straights is special. Due to the altitude, and despite driving with a lot of downforce, you still reach high speeds, and it’s difficult to stop the car – you find this feeling at Monza. »

Driving in front of one’s home crowd is a source of motivation, but also stress because one wants to perform well. Achieving a good performance is not always simple, but Sergio Pérez is not worried. Like the non-local drivers, he revels in the atmosphere that prevails on the circuit and in the city for this vibrant and emotional Mexican Grand Prix.

Located at over 2200 meters above sea level, the Autodrome des Frères Rodriguez is a test for both the body and the machine. The driver will have more difficulty breathing during the effort, and so will the engine. The operation of an engine is based on the air-fuel mixture that determines the performance and thus the efficiency of an engine, with the turbocharger also requiring a good airflow. This increases concerns for engine manufacturers who must demand more from their components to remain competitive, thus sacrificing reliability.

History

On the Formula 1 calendar until 1992, the Mexican Grand Prix experienced a long absence before reappearing in 2015. A true popular success, this race of a new era was won by Nico Rosberg driving his Mercedes.

With its long straight lines and its final passage in a stadium filled to the brim with spectators, the atmosphere is festive and warm. This year promises to be even more lively as the drivers’ world championship title might be decided on site.

The Mexican Grand Prix has already made its mark in the history of Formula 1 on several occasions. In 1970, it was on the Mexico City circuit, which would later be named after the Rodriguez brothers, that Jack Brabham competed in his last race. His participation ended in retirement towards the end of the race due to engine failure.

The outcome of the race will be happier in 1986 for Gerhard Berger, who will claim his first Formula 1 victory at the same time as Benetton’s, after a race where he made no pit stops, allowing him to climb from 4th on the grid to 1st at the finish.

But it is especially the 1990 race that will remain most in people’s memories, thanks notably to Alain Prost’s epic comeback with his Ferrari, from 13th place to final victory and the wheel-to-wheel duel in the last laps between his teammate, Nigel Mansell… and Gerhard Berger, then with McLaren.

📽 F1 VIDEO VAULT 🇲🇽

Prost and Mansell star in Ferrari one-two

WATCH> https://t.co/B4XwK531OU#MeixcoGP pic.twitter.com/C3Nkw6EBy9

— Formula 1 (@F1) 25 octobre /f1/actualite/22356-un-top-5-suffira-a-hamilton-pour-etre-champion-du-monde-a-mexico.html

The title for Hamilton, the crisis for Ferrari?

Obviously, as the end of the season approaches, the decision regarding the world drivers’ title is getting closer. Lewis Hamilton is on track to be crowned for the fourth time. A top 5 finish in Mexico would be enough to crown the Briton.

Sebastian Vettel still has a small chance in case of victory and if Lewis Hamilton retires. But the Mercedes driver has been remarkably efficient and reliable since the start of the season. He is, in fact, the driver who has completed the most laps this season and has therefore not suffered any retirements.

The /f1/actualite/22356-un-top-5-suffira-a-hamilton-pour-etre-champion-du-monde-a-mexico.html season has so far totalled 999 racing laps 🏁@LewisHamilton is the only driver to have completed them all 👏#F1 #F1FastFact pic.twitter.com/f7ayZcptAp

— Formula 1 (@F1) 25 octobre /f1/actualite/22356-un-top-5-suffira-a-hamilton-pour-etre-champion-du-monde-a-mexico.html

We remember, however, that last year, it was during the Malaysian Grand Prix that the triple world champion had to say goodbye to his title hopes after an untimely and unexpected engine failure. Everything remains possible…

But could Sebastian Vettel’s likely failure in the championship have repercussions on Ferrari’s operations? The Scuderia has experienced dysfunctions highlighted by top Italian executives. The Italian press, never short of sharp comments, has already relayed rumors of replacing Sporting Director Maurizio Arrivabene, who they see as unable to be firm enough with his team to win a title. Is a crisis brewing at the Reds? The winter is likely to be harsh in Fiorano, and the imperative for victory in 2018 is already being raised.

To (really) know everything…

Relatively gentle on the tires, the Mexican asphalt allows Pirelli to bring its softest range to Mexico once again, after the United States. So, we will see the ultra-soft, super-soft, and soft tires this weekend, even if the pink-walled tires should return to their purple hue.

If someone invites you to a #F1esta these are the shoes to wear. 🇲🇽 #MexicoGP #Fit4F1 https://t.co/a8BxdfNFxe

— Pirelli Motorsport (@Pirellisport) 17 octobre /f1/actualite/22356-un-top-5-suffira-a-hamilton-pour-etre-champion-du-monde-a-mexico.html

As in Montreal for the Canadian Grand Prix, the Mexico track is equipped with two DRS activation zones but only one detection zone. Positioned in the stadium at the exit of turn 14, it governs the use of the system on the start-finish straight, as well as on the straight section connecting turns 3 and 4.

Unprecedented in recent weekends, rain is not expected to appear in Mexico City. All sessions should take place on dry ground. For Free Practice 1, the thermometer will show between 17 and 20°C, and for the second session, it will be between 23 and 24°C. It will be cooler on Saturday, with temperatures ranging from 13 to 15°C in the morning and between 19 and 20°C for the qualifiers. For the race, it will be around 22 to 24°C, which should aid the proper functioning of the tires.

Don’t forget the TV program!