Mexican Grand Prix: track and statistics

In 2015, the Mexican podium returned to the World Cup calendar for the third time after a 23-year hiatus. The return proved triumphant – with crowded stands and an incredible atmosphere that has remained unchanged since. A major renovation of the Rodriguez Brothers Circuit, which hosted the first official Grand Prix in 1963, has preserved much of the configuration of the historic circuit, which is now up to the most modern standards.

Negotiations for the return of the Mexican leg began in 2012, when Bernie Ecclestone and Carlos Slim Jr., the son of a prominent telecommunications mogul, agreed on a five-year contract. Slim provided financial guarantee for the project, which received state support. In January 2013, a reconstruction program was presented, and on October 4, 2015, the grandiose modern sports complex was officially opened.

Four years since then, the stage’s promoters have received the FIA ​​award for “Best Grand Prix”, during which time the stage was visited by more than 1.3 million spectators.

The five-year contract signed with Ecclestone expired in the 2019 season, it was not possible to find money to extend it for a long time, but a solution was found. Now the podium is supported by the city government and is called the Mexico City Grand Prix.

Christian Epp, an employee of Hermann Tilke’s architectural firm: “During the reconstruction of the autodrome in Mexico, there were typical problems of old tracks. Many corners did not have enough safety zones, so some sections had to be reconfigured. The Peraltada corner was too dangerous for modern Formula 1, we left it in the second part and extinguished the speed in the first part.

The progress made on other circuits over the past twenty years has not touched the Mexican circuit. The departure areas were not in order, the drainage system was inadequate, the curbs and barriers were outdated, the medical center was in an inconvenient location, but we solved all that.”

Track features

The circuit is located at a high altitude – 2285 meters above sea level, which will affect the operation of power plants, cooling systems, aerodynamics and the well-being of the riders. Despite the high altitude, the difference in height on the Rodriguez brothers track is minimal – only 2.8 meters. Only Melbourne and Sochi have even flatter slopes.

With a lap length of 4303 meters, the Mexican circuit is the shortest on the calendar after Monaco and Zandvoort. Like Austria and Brazil, Mexico City has the longest race with 71 laps.

The 811 meter stretch from pole to braking point in the first corner – 9.6 seconds with the accelerator fully depressed – the second longest after Sochi. Despite the long starting line, the track in Mexico City is in third place in terms of number of overtakes from the end.

Atmospheric pressure here is 20% lower than normal, aerodynamics are adapted to the maximum level of downforce, but in thin air it depresses the car even less than in Monza. In several corners of the track there is not enough downforce and the cars sometimes lose stability, adding to the intrigue.

The new configuration turned out to be less fast and rhythmic, but very interesting. The length of the circle in Mexico City is relatively small, it is not easy to overtake, the load on the brakes is high. On the long straight, cars can reach speeds of more than 360 km/h using DRS.

Incredible atmosphere, part of the track is inside the stadium, where several curves surround the spectator-packed stands. It’s almost impossible to fight for a position there, but the fans support the riders emotionally and that’s where the awards ceremony is also held.

The series of chicanes that replaced the original fast corner one is named after Moises Solana, a Mexican driver who started in eight Grands Prix (in Mexico and the United States) from 1963 to 1968 and died in a 1969 hill climb event.

The final corner of the reconstructed track is named after Nigel Mansell, the winner of the last Mexican Grand Prix on the historic version of the track.

In 2016, Turn 12 was named after local driver Adrian Fernandez, who is also the track’s official ambassador, along with Emerson Fittipaldi.

Nigel Mansell: “On the Mexican circuit it was always difficult to find the right balance. For all the corners this is simply impossible – the track is high above sea level, the downward force provided by the aerodynamics of the car is 20% less there – I had to choose. The old track was an excellent test of skill and nervous system, and the heat and thin air made the task even more difficult.

I especially remember overtaking Gerhard Berger in Peraltada – I upset him then and two years later I had a phenomenal victory there. I loved the enthusiastic atmosphere, the passionate and energetic audience. A unique place like nothing else. I have very fond memories of racing in Mexico, the fans, the energy and the track – it was a highlight of the calendar.”

Weekend schedule

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Tire sets given to teams for the weekend

Pirelli will once again bring the “middle” trio of compositions – C2, C3 and C4 marked as Hard, Medium and Soft.

One set of the softest tires must be kept for the qualifying final – after that those who raced in the final must return this set to Pirelli.

One set of Medium and Hard tires must be kept for the race – unless declared wet, riders must use at least one of these sets.

The second Friday practice lasts half an hour longer – teams can work with prototype slicks for the 2023 season.

Mario Isolahead of Pirelli’s motorcycle racing division: “The track configuration and the high altitude always present interesting challenges, teams use different strategy options and the race is often unpredictable.”

Performance of Active Riders in Mexico

Sergio Perez: “My country has supported me from the beginning of my career, I really enjoy performing for my fans.

It’s great that this time I have a team and a car that I can win my home race with. We have a chance this weekend to get a big result. I’ll do my best, I’ll prepare as best I can – we’ll see what happens in the end.”