Strategy guide for the Mexico Grand Prix

Uncertainty revolves round the doable methods for at this time’s Mexico City Grand Prix as there are a selection of various choices which are accessible to the groups. F1Technical’s Balázs Szabó analyses the doable methods for at this time’s 71-lap race at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez.

As was the case final weekend in Austin, Pirelli introduced its mid-range compounds to Mexico City: the C2 is the P Zero White arduous, C3 is the P Zero Yellow medium, and C4 is the P Zero Red tender.

There are many issues that work utterly otherwise in Mexico to the different venues on the F1 calendar. The important motive for the totally different behaviour of vehicles that the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez is the highest occasion on the Formula 1 calendar at greater than 2200 metres above sea stage.

The skinny air impacts engines in addition to aerodynamics, producing much less downforce at decrease speeds particularly. Moreover, there’s various temperature variation throughout the day in Mexico, even in the house of some hours, which impacts thermal degradation: an vital parameter that the groups might want to monitor at this time.

If the excessive altitude and particular climate situations weren’t sufficient of a problem, the preparation for the Mexico City has been additionally compromised this weekend as Pirelli performed a blind check in Free Practice 2, which meant that the discipline needed to full the 90-minute session of the 2023-generation tyres.

The solely exceptions have been the drivers who had missed the first session attributable to the new sporting rule that requires groups to finish two follow periods throughout the season with drivers who has not participated in additional than two grands prix in the final two seasons.

The second Pirelli blind check that got here only a few days after an analogous session eventually weekend’s United States Grand Prix meant that drivers have been compromised when it comes to observe time, which meant they have been unable to conduct a number of lengthy high-fuel runs.

Although there was excessive likelihood for rain in yesterday’s qualifying, it didn’t materialize. The likelihood of rain is decrease for at this time however not insignificant, at round 40 per cent in line with Meteo France.

Assuming that the rain stays away at this time, Pirelli expects that each the one- and two-stop technique are a chance in Mexico City. The technique is determined by various factors with the precise degradation charges and the site visitors representing the most import elements.

Based on the restricted longer runs, the two-stopper is quickest on paper: beginning on the tender earlier than two stints on the medium. This technique is simply doable for the 10 drivers who’ve two units of mediums nonetheless accessible of their allocation. Soft-medium-soft is another two-stopper.

Due to the lengthy rundown to the first nook, drivers would possibly desire the tender tyres as the beginning compound as they attempt to defend their place or acquire locations.

However, issues may transform extra difficult in Mexico with site visitors often enjoying an enormous consider technique. It isn’t a uncommon prevalence that DRS trains type in Mexico. The governing physique mandated three DRS zones, however the skinny air often makes the drag discount system much less highly effective, which means that overtaking seems to be relatively difficult.

Considering this concern relating to overtaking, a one-stopper may also be a method choice to pursue. Pirell thinks {that a} medium-hard one-stopper is near a two-stopper when it comes to total time, though it compelled driver to surrender a little bit of efficiency off the line in comparison with the tender whereas it additionally takes a bit longer to get the hards as much as temperatures after the pit cease.