System 1 heads to Mexico this week for the Mexico Metropolis Grand Prix, a race that poses one of the crucial distinctive traits of the whole F1 season. With the observe in Mexico Metropolis located at over 7,000 ft above sea degree the altitude — and thinner air — has implications for the vehicles and the drivers. The thinner air means vehicles run with a number of the highest wing ranges of the season, but nonetheless generate much less downforce than tracks reminiscent of Monza. The diminished oxygen ranges within the air process the ability unit’s turbocharger with spinning sooner than at decrease altitudes, whereas additionally inflicting issues with cooling the tires and the breaks.
Then there’s what the upper altitude does to the drivers, as altitude illness is a priority. (For extra on what the groups and drivers face this week, there’s this piece we printed at SB Nation final season.)
Your entire workforce at Williams is trying ahead to taking over these challenges this week.
“We’re trying ahead to racing in Mexico this weekend. This distinctive observe with its unbelievable area and passionate followers at all times delivers surprises and an excellent race,” mentioned Sporting Director Sven Smoots within the workforce’s media preview. “As we return to a traditional race weekend format, we shall be specializing in enhancing our efficiency on the Gentle compound as we struggled on it final weekend. The excessive altitude will deliver its personal challenges and with the battle within the midfield being tight each millisecond will depend to have the ability to be within the combat for factors.”
F2 driver turned F1 legend Franco Colapinto, who has completed within the factors in two of his 4 races, is trying ahead to each the distinctive challenges of the Mexico Metropolis Grand Prix, and racing a bit nearer to residence.
“I’m excited to be racing in Mexico this weekend. I can’t wait to see the unbelievable help from the followers as soon as once more. Reflecting on Austin it’s clear that there’s little or no separating the groups within the midfield,” mentioned Colapinto. “The circuit’s excessive altitude will show a singular problem compared to others with making an attempt to get essentially the most out of the automobile. Going again to the traditional race weekend format permits me to concentrate on build up all through the periods forward of Qualifying. We’ll strive our greatest as a workforce to be within the combat for factors.”
Alexander Albon is trying ahead to getting proper again into the automobile after a “powerful weekend” in Austin.
“After a troublesome weekend, I’m trying ahead to leaping straight again within the automobile in Mexico this week and seeing how the automobile performs round this distinctive circuit, which has at all times been a observe with a whole lot of unpredictability for our automobile,” mentioned Albon. “We’re again to a traditional race weekend format, so we’ll construct up in the course of the Free Follow periods and if we will handle a few of our points, we’ll get extra efficiency out of it.
“The followers are at all times passionate right here, so I’m trying ahead to a superb weekend.”
