F1 records and key facts: how Ferrari has performed in Mexican GP | 2024 Mexico City GP. Ferrari F1 records and key stats.

 Key statistics

• First Grand Prix – 1963
• Track Length – 4.304km
• Lap record – 1m 17.774s, Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes, 2021
• Most pole positions – Jim Clark (4)
• Most wins – Max Verstappen (4)
• Trivia – Due to a 20% reduction in air pressure at 7,200 feet above mean sea level (AMSL), the Mexican Grand Prix now holds the title for the highest top speeds in Formula 1, surpassing those recorded in Italy. During the 2016 race, Valtteri Bottas clocked the highest trap speed ever recorded in F1 at 231.46 mph. However, Williams’ telemetry data indicated that Bottas actually reached a peak speed of 231.96 mph just before braking for Turn 1.
• Pole run to Turn 1 braking point – 830m
• Overtakes completed in 2022 – 20
• Safety Car probability – 20%*
• Virtual Safety Car probability – 80%*
• Pit stop time loss – 22 seconds

At the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez in Mexico City, the thin air forces teams to run maximum downforce, despite the circuit’s naturally low downforce characteristics. This results in a car that feels constantly on the edge, with less grip than usual.

The first half of the lap is especially challenging, with several heavy braking zones that require precision. The middle sector, with its reduced downforce, adds to the difficulty, making the car feel loose and unpredictable. Early on, drivers must carefully gauge how much kerb to take, as overcommitting can easily destabilize the car.

The final sector of the track is a technical challenge, especially as you navigate through the stadium section, where everything feels almost painfully slow. The second-to-last right-hand turn seems straightforward at first glance, but it’s deceptively tricky. With minimal grip and the wall looming nearby, it’s one of the easiest spots to make a costly mistake.

Overall, the grip is limited throughout the circuit, making the car feel awkward and cumbersome at lower speeds. Despite these challenges, the atmosphere in Mexico is electric, with the crowd’s energy adding a unique buzz to the race.

Iconic Moment

The opening lap of the 2017 Mexican Grand Prix was a whirlwind of action and drama. Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel started from pole position, with Red Bull’s Max Verstappen and Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton lining up in second and third, respectively.

As the race began, Verstappen seized the opportunity to overtake Vettel by the second corner, with Hamilton following suit and also passing the German driver. The chaos continued into the third corner, where Vettel made contact with Verstappen’s right rear tire and subsequently collided with Hamilton’s rear tire as well.

The aftermath saw Vettel forced into the pits for a new front wing, while Hamilton struggled with a puncture, leaving both championship contenders languishing in 19th and 20th positions.

Verstappen capitalized on the turmoil to secure the victory, while Vettel mounted a comeback to finish fourth. Despite his struggles, Hamilton managed to salvage a ninth-place finish, which was sufficient to clinch the 2017 drivers’ title.