How did it go at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez previously?
The premier sport to watch will make its second appearance of three in the ongoing Americas’ triple-header of Formula 1, in Mexico City at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez.
© F1
Being a relatively new Grand Prix added to the calendar – its first rendition actually being in 1962 as a non-championship race, now fully a part of the modern schedule since 2015 – Mexico has brought some exciting races and moments in the past.
The long straight from pole to Turn 1 is one of the longest runs to the first corner on the calendar, and can bring spicy drama. Take Charles Leclerc for example as to what happened last year, when his Ferrari clashed with home hero Sergio Pérez after going three wide with his Dutch teammate Max Verstappen. It can also produce difficult overtaking opportunities; as Lewis Hamilton and Daniel Ricciardo have experienced previously.
As we get ready for the final practice session and Grand Prix qualifying, let’s take a look back at the previous Mexico City Grands Prix and reflect on the significance of this great race track.
2023: Verstappen breaks record, vintage Ricciardo shines
The 2023 F1 season may not be remembered for the most exciting and dramatic championship battle that we all anticipated for, as Verstappen’s already clinched the title two races prior, but a highlight from that said year was when the circus came to Mexico.
Heading into the race weekend, reigning double world champion – crowned once again at Qatar – Max Verstappen was looking to seal his 16th GP win of the season, the most number of wins by a driver in any season.
2023 was arguably the greatest season for an individual driver in Formula 1 history. © Sky Sports F1
The Flying Dutchman up to that point had ten pole positions, and was seeking his eleventh on Saturday. However, the champion came only P3, as a shock front row lockout from Ferrari saw Charles Leclerc start first with Carlos Sainz behind him.
That was not the biggest shock of the session however, as the AlphaTauri of Daniel Ricciardo recorded P4, ahead of the Mexican Sergio Pérez. Sort of treating it as an application letter to Red Bull for that second seat in the senior team, Ricciardo ended his own race in P7, which was better than what his competitor managed to.
As the drivers made their way to the first corner as lights went out, Perez attempted a move around the outside of the sandwiched poleman, only to be hit in his rear right tyre and retire from the race.
Verstappen led after the incident, and completely dominated the rest of the race, as he took his record breaking sixteenth Grand Prix win of the season, further establishing his dominance in modern F1 history. While seen as a boring season by many, it was an unforgettable one for the Dutch driver and the Austrian outfit.
2017: Hamilton seals fourth world championship
Hamilton became the most successful British driver after winning his fourth title in Mexico. © Motor Authority
Back in the prime era of Mercedes vs. Ferrari, the dominant Lewis Hamilton had a 66 point lead over his championship rival Sebastian Vettel. This meant that the Briton had the chance to clinch the world drivers’ championship early, with two races left in the season.
On Saturday, Vettel took pole position, with Verstappen lining up behind him and his championship rival third, back by half a second. The German needed this race to go perfectly, as the only way he could win the championship is by winning two races and getting second once, that is if the Mercedes retired or didn’t score points in any of them.
As the lights went out, Verstappen completed a daring move around the outside of the Ferrari, ultimately causing damage to the front wing as the four time world champion couldn’t figure out exactly what was going on. Behind them came Hamilton swooping around the outside, but as Vettel had his own problems, it soon became the Briton’s as he picked up a puncture on his rear right tyre.
With both championship contenders pitting due to damage, it was now all about who could pull off the better recovery drive. In a race full of retirements – mainly from teams supplied by Renault engines – Verstappen took the chequered flag first by twenty seconds.
Vettel came in fourth place, which meant that he could no longer win the championship. As the Mercedes of Hamilton crossed the finish line in ninth, it was official that he had won his fourth F1 drivers’ championship, and his third with the German team.
2016: Silver Arrows battle heats up 2,238 meters in the air
With the remaining two championship contenders entering Mexico adrift by a full race win and some (26 points) – Rosberg leading the title with Hamilton second – it was anyone’s game to deal a blow this time around. This was a crucial race for both drivers, as there were only two races left to go after Mexico.
As Mercedes locked out the front row with Hamilton setting the fastest time, drama was expected heading to the long first turn. Under braking, the Briton ran wide to avoid a possibly dramatic collision with his racy teammate, before there was a brief Safety Car following a Manor of Pascal Wehrlein getting punted in the same corner.
The gap between the two Mercedes got smaller, as Hamilton closed the gap to Rosberg. © Shabiba
It was a relatively easy race for the defending world champion, as he cruised his way to victory to narrow the gap in the title fight to his teammate. It wasn’t all smooth sailing for the P3 and P4 finishers however, as a young Verstappen and an experienced Vettel were given a 5 and 10-second time penalty respectively – the Dutchman for going off track and the German for dangerous driving – which then saw the two drivers drop down one spot from their original finishing position.
The same energy and drama would be brought to the remaining two races of the season for Hamilton and Rosberg, as this 2016 Mexico Grand Prix would only be a peek into what their entire historic battle was.
2024: Verstappen makes a statement? Norris returns? Leclerc goes back-to-back?
It’s incredibly unsure of what to expect for the race on Sunday. Heading into Austin last week, it was widely expected that the Dutchman or the Briton in his McLaren would claim the GP victory, only for it to be stolen away by the Monegasque Ferrari driver.
The Ferrari did however have an upgrade, unlike it was previously stated. In the regulations, it’s mandatory for teams to report visible upgrades to their car, however the winning constructor did not list any upgrades as it wasn’t terribly seen at first glance, but the Maranello team had made their front wings more flexible, which seemed to help performance tremendously around COTA.
It’s anyone’s game to win now. © Sky Sports F1
Other than those three, we could even see a fourth, maybe fifth party in the mix, with the likes of Sainz and Oscar Piastri. Currently F1 is at its funnest stage, where everything is unpredictable and can spring up a different race winner or podium finisher every time.
As we make our way 7,738 feet above sea level, we can’t wait for the events to unfold at the 2024 Mexico City Grand Prix.
