Mexico preview & essentials

Going back to Mexico: Formula One makes its return to Mexico for the first time in 23 years, at a reworked version of the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez in Mexico City. For this special occasion at the inaugural of the modern era Mexican Grand Prix, Pirelli takes the P Zero White medium and P Zero Yellow soft tyres.

Pirelli
Paul Hembery

“It’s very exciting for us to come to Mexico, to a brand new circuit but one that is steeped in tradition at the same time. Nominating the compounds for a new track is not without its challenges, but simulation – one of the most important areas of growth in Formula One technology recently – is very accurate now, although it’s inevitable that we would incline towards a more conservative choice during the first year at a new track. As always, we are still aiming for two pit stops at the Mexican Grand Prix, but the uncertain weather that is affecting a large part of North America during the next week or so will clearly have a big influence. The track has been designed with overtaking in mind, so together with the different options for strategy that will become clearer during a very important free practice day on Friday, there is clear potential for an entertaining race that allows drivers to move up through the field.”

Last year’s strategy to win

Since Mexico is making its return to the calendar since 1992, there’s no relevant information about strategy, however Pirelli’s last winner was back in 1986, with a zero stop strategy for Gerhard Berger and Benetton.

Scuderia Ferrari
Esteban Gutierrez

“I’m very proud of being Mexican and of the fact my country is hosting such an important event, part of a sport which is also my passion. For me this is the best possible combination. The circuit is very technical and I’ve been driving it on the simulator, because as usual with a new track, that’s essential in order to understand how best to tackle it over the weekend.

“The three sectors are very different from each other but very technical at the same time. It means drivers who work out the best line will be the first to set quick lap times. I don’t expect it to be very hot, so even getting the tyres up to temperature will not be easy. Only once the cars are out on track will we understand how suited is our car to these various characteristics. As usual, track conditions will improve bit by bit as the cars do more running which will see the lap times gradually come down. It will also be interesting to see how the drivers adapt to this circuit, because they will want to do so as quickly as possible”

Grand Prix: Mexico
Race Date: Nov 01 2015
First Grand Prix: 1963
Circuit Name: Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez
Circuit Length: 4.304 km
Turns: 17
Laps: 71
Race Distance: 305.354 km
Lap Record: N/A

Schedule
Practice 1 - Fri 10:00 - 11:30
Practice 2 - Fri 14:00 – 15:30
Practice 3 - Sat 10:00 – 11:00
Qualifying - Sat 13:00 – 14:00
Race - Sun 13:00 — 15:00