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. 2019 sees the addition of a third DRS zone between turns 11 and 12 to increase overtaking opportunities.
Red Bull enter the weekend with guarded optimism as recent races haven’t played out in their favor. Historically the team does well on this circuit but despite power unit upgrades from Honda, Red Bull’s chassis doesn’t seem to have the 'magic’ grip past iterations have. A win will be tough but expect a podium finish for one car. Toro Rosso will be aiming for a double points finish but midfield competition is stiff so it’s anyone’s guess whether they pull it off.
Elsewhere on the grid, if Mercedes have a perfect race (and a little luck) Lewis Hamilton could clinch his sixth World Driver’s Championship title on Sunday. Ferrari will try their hardest to keep that from happening and their sheer speed in the second half of the season will help them in their mission. Best of the rest honors will likely go to McLaren. From there we can expect a Renault and a Racing Point to be battling. After that an Alfa Romeo should slot in with a Haas hot on their tail. Williams will almost certainly round out the order at the back of the grid.
US TV SCHEDULE
Practice 1 – Friday, October 25 – 10.55AM –
ESPNU
Practice 2 – Friday, October 25 – 2.55PM –
ESPNU
Practice 3 – Saturday, October 26 – 10.55AM –
ESPNEWS
Qualifying – Saturday, October 26 – 1.55PM –
ESPNEWS
Pit-L Lane Live – Sunday, October 27 – 1:55PM – ESPN3
Race (+On the Grid) – Sunday, October 27 – 2.30PM –
ABC
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: 1’14.759 by Daniel Ricciardo, 2018
Fastest lap: 1’18.741 by Valtteri Bottas, 2018
Strategy
Tyres: Hard (C2), Medium (C3), Soft (C4) (2018: Soft, Supersoft, Ultrasoft)
2018 RESULTS
Race Info.
Pole: Daniel Ricciardo, 1:14.759
Race laps: 71
Fast race lap: Valtteri Bottas, 1:18.741
Podium
1. Max Verstappen – Red Bull
2. Sebastian Vettel – Ferrari
3. Kimi Raikkonen – Ferrari
CURRENT STANDINGS
Drivers
1. Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes, 338
2. Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes, 274
3. Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, 223
4. Max Verstappen, Red Bull, 212
5. Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari, 212
6. Carlos Sainz, McLaren, 76
7. Pierre Gasly, Toro Rosso, 75
8. Alex Albon, Red Bull, 64
9. Sergio Perez, Racing Point, 37
10. Lando Norris, McLaren, 35
Constructors
1. Mercedes, 612
2. Ferrari, 433
3. Red Bull, 323
4. McLaren, 111
5. Renault, 77
6. Toro Rosso, 59
7. Racing Point, 54
8. Alfa Romeo Racing, 35
9. Haas, 28
10. Williams, 1
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