Round 18 of the 2021 Formula 1 season is quickly approaching and with it, a return to the Mexican Grand Prix at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez – after missing out on a slot on the calendar in 2020. Perfectly for us viewers, this track is coming to us at the perfect time in what has been a thrilling season.
The winners of the Mexican Grand Prix since its return to the sport in 2015 have usually walked it. Rarely do we see a race where the battle for the lead has had the people on edge. Someone always seems to have that perfect day. Ironically, the previous four races at the circuit has been won by two drivers, who happen to be the two fighting for the Drivers Championship.
Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton are both two-time winners in Mexico, with Verstappen’s victories coming back to back in 2017 and 2018 whilst Hamilton picked up his wins on each side of the Dutchman’s in 2016 and 2019. Arguably, Verstappen should be a three time winner. After claiming pole position in 2019, the Red Bull man would be demoted to fourth on the grid after strangely admitting to not backing off during a double yellow flag, as Valtteri Bottas threw his Mercedes into the wall at the final corner. Having to repay his team for his mistake, Verstappen was eager to get to the front as quick as possible. Him and Hamilton went wide and onto the grass at turn two after forcing each other off, before he would make contact with Bottas just a few laps later – causing a puncture. Not his finest moment.
They both have dominated during their time in Mexico, which is why the race is approaching at the perfect time.
Verstappen currently leads Hamilton by 12 points, and Red Bull are the favourites for Mexico as they usually are. However, this circuit features the longest marathon to turn one on the calendar, meaning the pole man has no guarantee that he will reach the opening corner ahead of the pack. We’ve seen three wide battles at the front, and even four wide fights just behind on the long run down the straight.
And you can be sure, if it is Hamilton and Verstappen alongside each other during this period of time, no room will be left. Both drivers will be eager to snatch the inside line, but that would leave that particular individual vulnerable to the power that is the slipstream. But, the outside could also be a move on the horizon for one, albeit risky. The outside line at turn one quickly becomes the inside of turn two before being put back on the outside for the short turn three. It could work, if they are not forced wide that is.
What is to stop a driver pulling a ‘Hamilton’ at the opening turn by completely ignoring it? Controversially, he got away with it.
That would not be a shock at all.
Despite Red Bull being favourites, Mercedes are remaining to be optimistic as they believe they are currently utilising their power unit at its optimal, despite taking a number of grid penalties in recent weekends.
Do not count out Ferrari and McLaren behind however. If Mercedes power units do indeed suffer from the same troubles that it tends to with higher altitude and temperature, Ferrari would be a strong shout for the weekend.
The drivers who are fighting for something will be grateful to have a couple circuits coming up in which they are familiar with. Mexico and Brazil are the coming races, before the Formula 1 circus travels to the middle east for the final three races – with two of them being brand new. Of course, being Qatar and Saudi Arabia.
That is another reason why Mexico is approaching at the perfect time. Extracting the best result they can in the next two races are beyond crucial. Nobody knows how Qatar and Saudi Arabia is going to go, the grip levels, overtaking possibilities etc are all unknown. But, Mexico – and Brazil – and strongholds already. They know what to expect.
The second drivers will be playing a monumentally large role in the remaining races, without a doubt. Sergio Perez is coming into this weekend as the home driver, in a car that is capable of race wins for the first time. That alone gives him a boost over Bottas in the number two fight. The Mexican has improved his results recently, and that is a much needed necessity for Red Bull. Perez was unfortunate last time out at Austin, with his drink system failing before the start which obviously did not help him physically in what was a very demanding race. But, thankfully for himself and the team, they seemed to have found a setup on Perez’ side of things that enable ‘Checo’ to adapt quicker and be more at one with his RB16B.
We know the two title antagonists are going to perform to the best of their ability, at another track in which they are both strong at. However, predictions cannot be made. Numerous times this season has one team and driver been a favourite, to only stand on the second spot on the podium. Paul Ricard, Austin, Bahrain. It goes on.
If Mercedes want to surprise their rivals, this would be the ideal opportunity to do so. The carry on effect from the weekend would prove to be pivotal.
The Motorsport Formula 