Formula 1 visits Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez this weekend for the second Mexican Grand Prix using the updated circuit. It is quickly becoming a fan favorite as it features a unique “stadium section” where the track snakes through an old baseball stadium which is also the location for parc ferme’ and the podium ceremony. Additionally, due to the high altitude of the circuit, long front straight, and further developments for 2016 we may see cars reach the highest top speed ever achieved in F1.
McLaren Honda go into the Mexican Grand Prix buoyed by their performance at COTA where Fernando Alonso made a late race charge up to 5th place (Jenson Button finished 9th). If they can find the pace they had at COTA , both cars should be in the points again; however, this is an altitude-affected race so their fragile performance balance could easily be thrown off.
Elsewhere on the grid, Nico Rosberg has a chance to claim WDC if Lewis Hamilton fails to score points. If that scenario is reversed it will make for an incredibly exciting battle during the next two races. As we’ve seen recently, Mercedes’ biggest challenge is Red Bull with Ferrari close behind. Williams and Force India will battle it out for the next spots with McLaren and Toro Rosso being wild cards to slip one car in those positions.
US TV SCHEDULE
Practice 1: Friday October 28th, 12:00PM
EST
,
NBC
Sports Live Extra
Practice 2: Friday October 28th, 3:00PM
EST
,
NBCSN
Practice 3: Saturday October 29th, 12:00PM
EST
,
NBC
Sports Live Extra
Qualifying: Saturday October 29th, 2:00PM
EST
,
NBCSN
Race: Sunday October 30th, 2:30PM
EST
,
NBC
CIRCUIT
INFORMATION
Lap data
Lap length 4.304km (2.674 miles)
Race laps 71
Race distance 305.354km (189.738 miles)
Pole position Left-hand side of the track
Lap record* 1’20.521 (Nico Rosberg, 2015)
Fastest lap 1’19.480 (Nico Rosberg, 2015, qualifying three)
Maximum speed 349kph (216.858 mph)
DRS
zone/s (race) Pit straight and longest straight
Distance from grid to turn one 890m
Car performance
Full throttle 45%
Longest flat-out section 1200m
Downforce level
Gear changes per lap 52
Fuel use per lap 1.41kg
Strategy
Pit lane time loss: 16s
Prime tire: Medium & Soft (2015 Medium)
Option tire: Supersoft (2015 Soft)
2015 (V6
TURBO
ERA
) RESULTS
Pole: Nico Rosberg, 1:19.480
Race Laps: 71
Fastest Lap: Nico Rosberg, 1:20.521
Podium
1. Nico Rosberg, Mercedes
2. Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes
3. Valtteri Bottas, Williams
CURRENT
STANDINGS
Drivers
1. Nico Rosberg, 331
2. Lewis Hamilton, 305
3. Daniel Ricciardo, 227
4. Sebastian Vettel, 177
5. Kimi Raikkonen, 170
6. Max Verstappen, 165
Constructors
1. Mercedes
AMG
Petronas, 636
2. Red Bull Racing, 400
3. Scuderia Ferrari, 347
4. Sahara Force India, 138
5. Williams Martini Racing, 130
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