Formula 1 returns to Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez this weekend for the Mexican Grand Prix. Featuring the the highest elevation of any Formula 1 circuit the cars will have the unlikely combination of high downforce setups and some of the highest speeds seen all year due to the thin air. The circuit also has the distinctions of passing through the center of a stadium and is the only one to have post-race Park Ferme away from pit lane (in said stadium). Those attributes along with a raucous crowd are why Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez is a worthy Grand Prix venue.
Toro Rosso go into the weekend with optimism as new parts they and Honda continue to trial ahead of 2019 are producing the desired results, particularly the Power Unit. The team has seemingly come to the conclusion that testing and proving the 2019 upgrades is more important than grid position for the remainder of 2018; however, with both drivers taking Honda’s latest engine upgrade in Austin, the team could be set to have a great result in Mexico with one or both cars in the points.
Elsewhere on the grid, it is all but certain, barring extraordinary circumstances, that Lewis Hamilton will clinch his fifth 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 put at least one car between the battle between Ferrari and Mercedes, owing to the performance of it’s superior chassis in the thin air. From there we can expect a Force India and a Haas to be battling for best of the rest in a repeat of last weekend. After that Renault should slot in, losing ground from last weekend due to its less developed chassis. Sauber will be aiming to upset Renault’s quest for points and will likely do so with one of their cars. McLaren and Williams will almost certainly round out the order at the back of the grid.
US TV SCHEDULE
Practice 1 – Friday, Oct. 26, 10:55 AM –
ESPNU
Practice 2 – Friday, Oct. 26, 2:55 PM –
ESPNEWS
Practice 3 – Saturday, Oct. 27, 10:55 AM –
ESPNEWS
Qualifying – Saturday, Oct. 27, 1:55 PM -
ESPNEWS
Race – Sunday, Oct. 28 2:30 PM –
ABC
Encore – Sunday, Oct. 28, 9:00 PM –
ESPNEWS
Encore – Monday, Oct. 29, 12:30 AM – ESPN2
CIRCUIT INFORMATION
Lap data
Lap length: 4.438km (2.758 miles)
Turns: 17
Race laps: 71
Race distance: 306.222km (190.278 miles)
Pole position: Left-hand side of the track
Lap record: 1’18.785 by Sebastian Vettel, 2017
Fastest lap: 1’16.488 by Sebastian Vettel, 2017
Strategy
Tyres: Soft, Supersoft, Ultrasoft
2017 RESULTS
Race Info.
Pole: Sebastian Vettel, 1:16.488
Race laps: 71
Fast race lap: Sebastian Vettel, 1:18.785
Podium
1. Max Verstappen – Red Bull
2. Valtteri Bottas – Mercedes
3. Kimi Raikkonen – Ferrari
CURRENT STANDINGS
Drivers
1. Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes
AMG
Petronas, 346
2. Sebastian Vettel, Scuderia Ferrari, 276
3. Kimi Raikkonen, Scuderia Ferrari, 221
4. Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes
AMG
Petronas, 217
5. Max Verstappen, Aston Martin Red Bull Racing, 191
6. Daniel Ricciardo, Aston Martin Red Bull Racing, 146
7. Nico Hulkenberg, Renault Sport F1, 61
8. Sergio Perez, Force India, 57
9. Kevin Magnussen, Haas, 53
10. Fernando Alonso, McLaren Renault, 50
Constructors
1. Mercedes
AMG
Petronas, 563
2. Scuderia Ferrari, 497
3. Aston Martin Red Bull Racing, 337
4. Renault Sport F1, 106
5. Haas, 84
6. McLaren Renault, 58
7. Racing Point Force India, 47
8. Toro Rosso, 32
9. Alfa Romeo Sauber, 28
10. Williams Martini Racing, 7
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