As F1 prepares to return to the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez after a 23-year hiatus, we assess the main talking points heading into the race weekend.
Can Nico Rosberg win for the first time since Austria?
Having taken pole position at the last three Grands Prix, Nico Rosberg looks to have rediscovered the superb qualifying form that took the 2014 title fight right down to the wire. With his hopes of 2015 glory now officially extinguished, I predict that we will see a more relaxed and ultimately faster Rosberg in Mexico this weekend as he aims to add to his frankly meagre 2015 tally of three victories. Interestingly, the German driver appeared to have the pace to win in Austin and would likely have kept his team-mate’s champagne on ice but for a crucial error in the closing stages of the race.
Free of the pressure which has conjured up these uncharacteristic errors over the course of campaign, Rosberg will now be focused on getting back to winning ways to provide him with a platform for a more fruitful 2016. Whilst Hamilton has generally been the quicker of the two on F1’s so-called ‘power circuits’ this season – winning in Bahrain, Canada, Spa and Monza – neither driver has turned a wheel in anger on this particular track. Moreover, one senses that Rosberg was rather displeased about the impolite nudge he received at the start of the US GP and the aforementioned error he made; he’ll be determined to strike back.
Can Ferrari spring a surprise at a new venue?
It’s difficult to remember given that he took his customary finish of third, but Sebastian Vettel was demoted ten places on the US GP grid for an engine change. The changeable conditions in last Sunday’s race denied us the chance to see if the new power unit had delivered a substantial boost in performance, but the Scuderia would not have taken the penalty if they did not believe it would generate a noticeable step forward. Heading to Mexico, a circuit comprising a number of straights, expect their new engine to narrow the deficit to Mercedes and bring them into contention for a fourth victory of the season.
The circuit represents an unknown challenge for the teams and drivers, and the boys in red will no doubt be ready to pounce if the Brackley outfit slip up. Vettel will likely lead their charge, especially after a poor performance by the struggling Kimi Raikkonen in Austin. The German driver has taken five consecutive podium finishes (one win, two second places and two third places) and will be eager to ensure his name is the first engraved on the trophy.
Can Williams rediscover their form with a podium return?
It’s been a frustrating season for Williams. Demoted to third in the pecking order by the resurgent Ferrari, they have been forced to settle for a return of just three podiums – although it would almost certainly be four but for Valtteri Bottas’ clash with Kimi Raikkonen in the dying stages of the Russian Grand Prix. That said, they finished the 2014 season with a flourish (finishing third at the Brazilian GP and taking a double podium in Abu Dhabi) and will intend to do the same again. The Grove outfit, though, failed to score last weekend as both cars retired from the race – exposing once again their damaging weakness in wet conditions.
The layout of the circuit will play to the strengths of the Mercedes-powered FW37, giving Valtteri Bottas and Felipe Massa – currently embroiled in a three-way duel for fourth in the standings with Raikkonen – an ideal opportunity for a podium return. If Mercedes are in dominant form, it will likely be a fight between Williams and Ferrari for the final podium spot and the former’s efforts will be bolstered by the best engine on the current grid.
Can Sergio Perez delight his home fans?
Sergio Perez is, by his own admission, enjoying one of his best spells form. Third in Sochi and fifth in Austin, the 25-year old has moved up to ninth in the standings – with the Red Bull drivers very much in range. The Force India driver is of course brimming with excitement ahead of his home race, and his Mercedes engine will only heighten his expectations. If he can repeat his Russian GP heroics and claim a rostrum on home soil, it will truly be fairytale stuff. Perez drove a demonstration lap of the circuit to mark its official opening, and has more knowledge of it than most.
One man who might have a thing or two to say about that is Nico Hulkenberg, who has rather been left in the shadow of his team-mate recently having failed to finish three of the last four races. Should Perez get the better of the German, a podium is a huge ask, but points will be the minimum expectation of the home favourite.
How much will Renault and Honda struggle?
With the track situated a dizzying 2,200 metres above sea-level, the engines will be pushed to their limits over the course of the gruelling 71-lap race. Combine the altitude with the series of straights, and it doesn’t look good for straight-line strugglers McLaren, Red Bull or Toro Rosso. Off-track matters may once again be the focus of the Renault-powered teams as they continue to search for a 2016 supplier, and a resolution to their ongoing issues would be more welcome than a good performance. Jenson Button, meanwhile, steered McLaren to their second best result of the season with a spirited drive in Austin, but the Woking outfit may find it difficult to add to their tally even with Alonso running the upgraded power unit.
It seems, then, that it will very much be a weekend for the Mercedes-powered teams alongside Ferrari, but you can bet the feisty Toro Rosso youngsters and Red Bull drivers will not go down without a fight. What’s more, on a circuit which hasn’t seen any F1 action since 1992, there could be a few surprises.
There, then, are the main Mexican GP talking points. What are you expecting heading into the weekend?
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