After an absence in 2020, 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 has become a favorite Grand Prix venue.
Red Bull will come to Mexico with their sights set on dominance. Historically a strong track for the team, they are also coming off of a strong performance in Austin where Max Verstappen won, and this is Sergio Perez’ home race. Red Bull has to be the favorite for a win and putting the second car on the podium is a strong possibility. On the AlphaTauri side of the garage we can expect one car in the points and, with some luck, the second may eke its way into the 10th spot.
Elsewhere on the grid, Mercedes must still be watched closely as any potential gap to Red Bull will be very small. Normally in 2021 we’d be thinking of McLaren right now but in Mexico look for Ferrari to have a shot at being the third team to cross the line and take the lead in their tight battle with McLaren. Speaking of the team from Woking, they won’t let Ferrari ahead without a fierce battle which we got a preview of in Austin with some tight wheel-to-wheel racing. The next team we can expect to see represented is Alpine with at least one of its cars. They will likely be in a battle with Aston Martin. At this point in the order we could expect to see team cars from some of the aforementioned teams if they are not able to stay together. Then we’ll see Williams, who have made good progress when compared to past years, in a tight battle with Alfa Romeo if the Ferrari power unit performs as expected here. Last but not least will be the Haas cars bringing up the rear.
US TV SCHEDULE Practice 1 – Friday, November 5 – 1.25AM – ESPN2 Practice 2 – Friday, November 5 – 4.55AM – ESPN2 Practice 3 – Saturday, November 6 – 12.55PM – ESPNEWS Qualifying – Saturday, November 6 – 3.55AM – ESPNEWS Mexican Grand Prix – Sunday, November 7 – 12.30PM – ABC Checkered Flag (post-race show) – Sunday, November 7 – 4PM – ESPN3
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)
2019 RESULTS
Race Info.
Pole: Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, 1:15.024
Race laps: 71
Fast race lap: Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, 1:19.232
Podium
1. Lewis Hamilton – Mercedes
2. Sebastian Vettel – Ferrari
3. Valtteri Bottas – Mercedes
CURRENT STANDINGS
Drivers
1. Max Verstappen, Red Bull, 287.5
2. Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes, 275.5
3. Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes, 185
4. Sergio Perez, Red Bull, 150
5. Lando Norris, McLaren, 149
6. Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, 128
7. Carlos Sainz, Ferrari, 122.5
8. Daniel Ricciardo, McLaren, 105
9. Pierre Gasly, AlphaTauri, 74
10. Fernando Alonso, Alpine, 58
11. Esteban Ocon, Alpine, 46
12. Sebastian Vettel, Aston Martin, 36
13. Lance Stroll, Aston Martin, 26
14. Yuki Tsunoda, AlphaTauri, 20
15. George Russell, Williams, 16
16. Nicholas Latifi, Williams, 7
17. Kimi Raikkonen, Alfa Romeo, 6
18. Antonio Giovinazzi, Alfa Romeo, 1
19. Mick Schumacher, Haas, 0
20. Robert Kubica, Alfa Romeo, 0
21. Nikita Mazepin, Haas, 0
Constructors
1. Mercedes, 460.5
2. Red Bull, 437.5
3. McLaren, 254
4. Ferrari, 250.5
5. Alpine, 104
6. AlphaTauri, 94
7. Aston Martin, 62
8. Williams, 23
9. Alfa Romeo, 7
10. Haas, 0
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