Following Scuderia Ferrari’s splendid one-two finish in the United States Grand Prix at the Austin circuit, the 2024 Formula 1 season continues this weekend. F1 keeps moving forward as the last GPs of the season take place in Mexico, home to Sergio Perez and the realm of Max Verstappen, who is the most successful driver here: below is the circuit analysis named after the Rodriguez brothers.
The Circuit
The Mexico City circuit measures 4,304 meters with a total of 17 turns (10 right and 7 left) of varying radii, shapes, and speeds. Slow corners alternate with a series of high-speed chicanes. The checkered flag will be waved after 71 laps.
The first sector consists of only three turns. The long main straight, measuring a remarkable 1.2 km, ends with a heavy braking zone for Turn 1, which is just the first of a double chicane. In these first three corners, traction is crucial for a good exit and to launch onto another straight.
The second sector is the most technical. After the slow corners from 4 to 6, the circuit transitions to a completely different area. A series of high-speed corners follow one after another, where aerodynamic downforce is essential. We have seen many accidents in previous editions.
The other traction sector is the last one. Entering the stadium, drivers face the tricky Turn 13 in second gear and at low speed, before navigating the final corner and launching back onto the long pit straight. There are three DRS zones: on the two long straights and in the section from 11 to 12.
The Rarefied Air
The unique characteristic that differentiates the Mexican circuit from others on the calendar is its geographical location. It is situated at an altitude of 2,000 meters above sea level, and the air is quite rarefied. This factor, as we will see below, significantly affects the car’s setup.
Fuel Consumption and Mechanical Strain
The Mexico circuit is not particularly demanding in terms of fuel consumption, due to the rarefied air. The consumption is about 1.41 kg per lap.
Regarding mechanical components, the brakes are put to the test. The braking system must endure violent decelerations, and due to the air density issue, cooling is quite challenging. The rarefaction also causes the engines to struggle. The reduced density of the air entering the internal combustion engine leads to a noticeable drop in power, which is compensated for by the presence of the turbo. The component has to work harder to compress the air, raising the temperature in the combustion chamber.
This increased usage could also highlight reliability issues. As for the transmission, the number of gear changes in a lap is about 47.
Aerodynamic Load
If one looks at the circuit map, it might seem that a low downforce setup would be advantageous; however, due to the rarefied air, this is not the case. It necessitates significantly increasing downforce, using wings similar to those in Monaco.
Nevertheless, speeds of over 350 km/h will still be reached on the main straight.
Roll of Honor
The Mexican circuit has been part of the F1 calendar since 1963. Activity ceased in 1970, returning in the mid-1980s until 1992. It made its comeback to the calendar in 2015. Over the years, the layout has changed several times. The most successful driver overall is Max Verstappen, who has secured five victories in Mexico City, three of which were consecutive. Following him are Hamilton, Alain Prost, and Jim Clark, each with two wins.
Many other drivers close the ranking with just one victory: Rosberg, Mansell, Patrese, Senna, Berger, Ickx, Hulme, Hill, Surtees, Ginther, and Dan Gurney.
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