Formula 1 returns to Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez this weekend for the Mexican Grand Prix. Featuring the distinctions of having the highest elevation of any Formula 1 circuit (and car setup challenges that come with it), being the only circuit to pass through the center of a stadium, and the only one to have post-race Park Ferme away from pit lane, fans and drivers alike are reminded why it is worthy of hosting a Grand Prix.
McLaren Honda go into the weekend essentially writing off this race in order to put themselves in a stronger position to wrap up the season at Interlagos and Abu Dhabi; consequently, both drivers will take new power units and the grid penalties that come along with them. Both cars should be running Honda’s latest 'spec. 3.8’ engine which has some combustion-related parts that were developed for the 'spec. 4’ engine which Honda has confirmed we will not see on track this year. The best we can realistically hope for in Mexico is for one car to finish in the points.
Elsewhere on the grid, it is all but certain, barring extraordinary circumstances, that Lewis Hamilton will clinch his fourth World Driver’s Championship title on Sunday. Ferrari will continue to build on their renewed momentum in COTA and be a legitimate challenge to Mercedes. We can expect Red Bull to slot in behind these teams with their power deficit and the circuit’s long front straight likely to prevent them from playing spoiler this weekend. From there we can expect Force India and Renault to slot in behind Red Bull. After that Haas and Williams will be battling each other. Toro Rosso will be trying to spoil their party; however, with new drivers on board, the Faenza-based team will likely use this as more of an information gathering session. Sauber will most certainly round out the order at the back of the grid.
US TV SCHEDULE
Practice 1: Friday October 27th, 11:00AM
EST
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NBCSN
Practice 2: Friday October 27th, 3:00PM
EST
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NBCSN
Practice 3: Saturday October 28th, 11:00PM
EST
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NBC
Sports Live Extra
Qualifying: Saturday October 28th, 2:00PM
EST
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NBCSN
RACE: Sunday October 29th, 2:00PM
EST
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NBC
CIRCUIT
INFORMATION
Lap data
Lap length: 4.438km (2.758 miles)
Turns: 17
Race laps: 69
Race distance: 306.222km (190.278 miles)
Pole position: Left-hand side of the track
Lap record: 1’20.521 by Nico Rosberg, 2015
Fastest lap: 1’18.704 by Lewis Hamilton, 2016
Strategy
Tyres: Soft, Supersoft, Ultrasoft
2016 RESULTS
Race Info.
Pole: Lewis Hamilton, 1:18.704
Race laps: 71
Fast race lap: Daniel Ricciardo, 1:21.134
Podium
1. Lewis Hamilton – Mercedes
2. Nico Rosberg – Mercedes
3. Daniel Ricciardo – Red Bull
CURRENT
STANDINGS
Drivers
1. Lewis Hamilton, 331
2. Sebastian Vettel, 265
3. Valtteri Bottas, 244
4. Kimi Raikkonen, 192
5. Daniel Ricciardo, 192
6. Max Verstappen, 123
7. Sergio Perez, 86
8. Esteban Ocon, 73
9. Carlos Sainz, 54
10. Felipe Massa, 36
Constructors
1. Mercedes
AMG
Petronas, 575
2. Scuderia Ferrari, 428
3. Red Bull Racing, 315
4. Sahara Force India, 159
5. Williams Martini Racing, 68
6. Scuderia Toro Rosso, 53
7. Renault Sport F1, 48
8. Haas F1 Team, 43
9. McLaren-Honda, 23
10. Sauber, 5
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