Built in 1959, this circuit found its place in the championship 4 years later, in 1963. An event which experienced 2 major interruptions: first from 1971 to 1985, then from 1993 before returning in 2015. This makes it a historical circuit, however it has hosted relatively few Grand Prix. Sunday will hold its 23rd edition at the Aut\u00f3dromo Hermanos Rodr\u00edguez. A name given in tribute to the two Rodr\u00edguez brothers, leading figures of Mexican motor racing in the 1960s-70s.<\/p>\n
The Mexican GP has always been held on this track, even though in the 2000s, a project to build a circuit in Cancun aimed to host F1. A project that will ultimately not see the light of day, the circuit never having been built. Unless…<\/p>\n
The track is 4,304 km long, has 17 turns and 3 DRS zones for 2 detection zones. The drivers will start on Sunday for 71 laps of the race, which is a little over 305km.<\/p>\n
In Mexico, starting in pole position is not necessarily an advantage. Starting at the beginning of a straight line of more than 800 meters, it is not uncommon to see the poleman being overtaken by his competitors. Last year Max Verstappen kept his pole gain thanks to a beautiful late braking at turn 1.<\/p>\n
The sequence of turns 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 is magnificent, reminiscent of Suzuka. They will have to be well negotiated to exit effectively before the last DRS zone of the circuit. After this last one, the entrance into the stadium will be noisy as usual, spectators will have time to admire the mechanics in the slowest sequence of the circuit.<\/p>\n
Due to altitude, the air density is very low in Mexico, graining often appears on tires: the teams will have to adapt. You can find a similar wing setting to Monaco, to compensate for the lack of aerodynamic support, while maintaining a very low drag: this allows you to reach maximum speeds among the highest of the season!<\/p>\n
At the pneumatic level, there will be very little degradation. Thus, Mario Isola explains the choice of having, in Mexico, the most efficient tires available.<\/p>\n
\u00ab This year, we have decided to bring the three softest compounds \u2013 C3, C4, and C5 \u2013 to Mexico after in-depth reflection based on the information from last year, as well as the simulations that the teams provide us every time. This should lead to a greater variety of strategic choices throughout the race, also opening the door to a two-stop strategy. Last year, when the chosen tires were C2, C3, and C4, almost all the drivers stopped only once, mainly in soft and mediums. \u00bb<\/p>\n
As in Japan with the testing of a new C2 tyre in free practice, this time it will be the new C4 that will be tested: \u00ab Mexico also gives us the opportunity to test a new variant of the C4 with all the teams. During the two hours of free practice on Friday, each driver will have two sets of these new prototypes that they can use at their discretion. Once we have analysed all the data, we will then decide whether or not to approve this version for use in 2024. \u00bb<\/p>\n
\nIt’s #MexicoGP<\/a> week! \ud83c\uddf2\ud83c\uddfd<\/p>\n
\u2197\ufe0f Softer compounds for 2023
\ud83e\uddea C4 prototype testing#Fit4F1<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/F0OTB8IAb5<\/a><\/p>\n