2024 Mexican Grand Prix - Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, Oct 25 - 27

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not sure the low-grip track suits Ferrari particularly well - but I honestly didn't expect COTA to do either. Difficult to say who may have an advantage.

Isn't low grip good? Low grip = a lot of sliding = more tyre overheating, which is something Ferrari is less prone to than the competition. Ferrari is also just good under traction, and more sliding means more time under traction.

I was more thinking that "gentle cars" may struggle to get the tires in the right window, leading to even more sliding, while those generating grip have an advantage. But if so, this is probably mainly the case in Qualifying.

Unrelated, but as it wasn't brought up yet: Mexico will be a 2025 tire-test weekend, by the way. So FP2 is used solely for that, and teams need to follow the run plan provided by Pirelli and aren't allowed to make setup changes.

[Vanja #66]

I was more thinking that "gentle cars" may struggle to get the tires in the right window, leading to even more sliding, while those generating grip have an advantage. But if so, this is probably mainly the case in Qualifying.

Unrelated, but as it wasn't brought up yet: Mexico will be a 2025 tire-test weekend, by the way. So FP2 is used solely for that, and teams need to follow the run plan provided by Pirelli and aren't allowed to make setup changes.

Mexico was a race that Leclerc could have won last year, as he was going for a 1-stop while Max wasn't going to make a 50-lap stint on Hards in any case. Ferrari also took the front row, so they weren't particularly set up for race instead of Q. Red flag reset nullified that and also gave Hamilton an option to run on Mediums until the end. It's a track run at Singapore/Monaco wing level, while high altitude air makes it more of a Monza-level of actual downforce.

[Wouter]

Perez' last realistic chance to win his home race.

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I was going to say coming into this thread, I'm expecting him announcing his retirement. Time is up.

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F1 Helmut Marko on Sergio Perez at Red Bull Racing

GP Blog.
During F1's break period between Singapore and Austin, a rumour emerged suggesting Sergio Perez was going to announce his retirement at the Mexican Grand Prix weekend. The Mexican quickly shut down these rumours with a social media post. Ahead of this weekend's race in Mexico, Red Bull's external advisor commented on those rumours while acknowledging Liam Lawson's performance in Austin.

Marko commented on the rumour. "It is a rumour. He himself says there is no truth behind it," Marko told the German branch of Sky Sports, continuing with a striking statement. "We will see, but he needs to improve his performance."
Once again in Austin, Perez finished far behind Verstappen. He finished behind George Russell who started in the pitlane and finished last out of the top four teams (aside from Hamilton, who retired).

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I was more thinking that "gentle cars" may struggle to get the tires in the right window, leading to even more sliding, while those generating grip have an advantage. But if so, this is probably mainly the case in Qualifying.

Unrelated, but as it wasn't brought up yet: Mexico will be a 2025 tire-test weekend, by the way. So FP2 is used solely for that, and teams need to follow the run plan provided by Pirelli and aren't allowed to make setup changes.

Mexico was a race that Leclerc could have won last year, as he was going for a 1-stop while Max wasn't going to make a 50-lap stint on Hards in any case. Ferrari also took the front row, so they weren't particularly set up for race instead of Q. Red flag reset nullified that and also gave Hamilton an option to run on Mediums until the end. It's a track run at Singapore/Monaco wing level, while high altitude air makes it more of a Monza-level of actual downforce.

yes, but in regards to tire usage, the 2024 Ferrari is basically the opposite of last year's.

Mexico is very difficult to get right. Remember Albon, who out of nowhere looked like a podium contender for most of the weekend last year, before completely messing up tire temps in Qualifying.