The F1 Mexican GP 2019 have arrivied at the Hermanos Rodríguez Autodrome in Mexico this weekend (October 25th –27th) for the seventeenth scale of the season’s calendar. After Mercedes securing its sixth consecutive constructor’s title in Japan, this will be their star pilot, Lewis Hamilton’s, first opportunity to proclaim himself six-time world champion.

In order for Hamilton to seal the title in Mexico, as he did in 2017 and 2018, he would have to score fourteen points more than his teammate Valtteri Bottas on race day. No one else apart from the drivers from the Brackley team still has any chance of conquering the championship.

The Silver Arrows, however, will have to deal once again with the fierce opposition of Ferrari. The red cars will attempt to recover the winning streak – Belgium, Italy and Singapore – that they enjoyed right after the summer holidays. A red victory would also make up for the JapaneseGP fiasco where they let the victory slip away despite both its drivers, Sebastian Vettel and Charles Leclerc, being first and second on the grid with.

The civil war between the Maranello drivers will also be the focus of a great deal of media attention. The sheer power of the SF90 will be their best ally and play a crucial role in the long straights of the Aztec track. The turns, on the other hand, coupled with the altitude of the Mexican autodrome will be their worse enemies.

A step below the German and Italian teams is Red Bull. The blue cars seem to have slowed down their progress after the summer. The power issues of the RB15, made worse by the altitude of the Rodríguez Brothers track, makes them unlikely candidates for the podium, let alone the victory. Max Verstappen’s triumphs in 2017 and 2018 seem now like an unattainable feat. The experience and skill of the Dutch driver, however, should not be underestimated.

As for the middle of the grid, McLaren will seek to extend its advantage at the lead. Their main driver Carlos Sainz, who has dethroned Pierre Gasly (Toro Rosso) from the sixth place of the standings, will be dreaming of a repeat of Suzuka, where he finished in fifth place. Defending his current position against the RB15 of Alex Albon, however, will be a challenge.

Mexican GP Stats

1. First edition: 1963. Winner: Jim Clark (Lotus-Climax).
2. Number of races: 19. Headquarters: Mexico City (19).
3. Most wins: Jim Clark (2), Nigel Mansell (2), Alain Prost (2) and Max Verstappen (2).
4. Most poles: Jim Clark (4) and Ayrton Senna (3).
5. Most wins by team: Lotus (3), McLaren (3) and Williams (3).
6. Most poles by team: Lotus (6), Williams (3) and McLaren (3).

Hermanos Rodríguez Autodrome facts & figures

1.  Track length: 4.304 meters.
2.   Turns: 17 (7 right-handed and 10 left-handed).
3.   Laps: 71.
4.   Race distance: 305,354 km.
5.   It is the track with the highest altitude in the F1 circuit: 2.229 meters (Turn 6)
6.   The altitude reduces power and aerodynamic load and has a negative impact on the breaks.
7.   Tyre stress: Medium (3).
8.   Adherence: Low (2).
9.   Aerodynamic load: Maximum (5).
10.   Asphalt abrasion: Low (2).
11.   The accelerator is fully pressed 70% of the time at each lap.
12.   The break is fully pressed 12% of the time during the race.
13.   The track has 5 braking zones and 3 DRS zone.
14.   A low configuration of the aerodynamic load, similar to Monza’s.
15.   Average pit-stop: 20 seconds.
16.   Tyre range: Hard, C2; Medium, C3; Soft, C4.
17.   Fastest in-race lap: 1:18.741 -Valtteri Bottas – Mercedes (2018).
18.   Fastest pole: 1:14.759 – Daniel Ricciardo – Red Bull (2018).
19.  Top registered speed: 364,9 km – Esteban Ocon – Force India (2018).
20.  Race direction: Clockwise.

Images of F1 Mexican GP 2019: Mexican GP Instagram.