Formula 1

• Track insights

  Sitting 2,285 metres above sea level, the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez presents a special type of challenge.

  The circuit's high altitude means that there is around a quarter less oxygen in the air, which affects the driver’s energy levels and can leave them feeling pretty exhausted by the end of the weekend.

  There is also an impact on the car: less power is produced, and this requires the turbo to work much harder to ensure there’s no drop off in the pressure of air being fed into the engines. The lack of air also means there’s an increased demand on the cooling systems, too. On track, there’s less downforce generated, and this means less grip for the cars to cling on to, meaning the engineers have a lot to think about.

  However, there is one key benefit, with fewer air particles in the way, the drag on the cars is lower, and this allows for faster speeds: it’s not uncommon for cars to hit 320km/h down the 1.2km main straight, which can produce some spectacular looking overtakes going into Turn 1. The fighting doesn’t stop at Turn 1, with tyre-to-tyre battles continuing through the next two corners, into Turn 4, a heavy braking zone, and then through a left-right section.

• What's it like in Mexico?

  Mexico City is a spec-taco-ular location. For regular readers of our previews, it will shock no one that we’re excited for the food in Mexico, with tacos, enchiladas and quesadillas all on the menu over the next few days. We’ll also be tucking into some warming pozole and dipping everything we can in guacamole.

  But the city has much more to offer than food alone. The city’s sunrises are stunning, the parties are vibrant, and the streets are brimming with history, with more than 50 museums and a gorgeous historic centre.

• Stat pack

  • The Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez was opened in 1962 in the Magdalena Mixhuca Sports City, which hosted several Olympic events during the 1968 Summer Olympics
  • Drivers pass through an old baseball stadium, the Foro Sol, which was home to the Diablos Rojos del México
  • The circuit is 2,285m above sea level
  • We are the joint second most successful team in Mexico with three wins
  • Our first win in Mexico came courtesy of Denny Hulme in 1969
  • Alain Prost (1988) and Ayrton Senna (1989) also won for McLaren in Mexico
  • Lando charged from 18th to 10th in the 2021 Mexico City Grand Prix