F1 Mexican GP 2023: Everything you need to know

The Mexican GP is one of the most anticipated races on the calendar, thanks in part to being the home of Red Bull driver Checo Perez and the whole racing history surrounding it. Now, after coming from an exciting race in Austin, which saw both Leclerc and Hamilton being disqualified, let’s take a preview of the Formula 1 (F1) 2023 Mexican GP. 

While the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez might look like a regular street circuit, the track’s elevation, i.e. 2km up the sea level, poses a challenge for the teams since they have less oxygen to work with, which is essential for combustion. When talking about the track, it closely mirrors the original 1959 circuit, including two high-speed straights and multiple low-speed corners. However, the most iconic part of the track is the stadium section, which has a capacity for an impressive 26,000 spectators.

Lewis Chasing Perez

Following a disappointing race in Austin, Lewis Hamilton’s deficit to Checo in the driver’s championship has now stretched to 39 points. While this might not seem substantial, given Lewis’s consistent podium finishes, his Did Not Finish (DNF) in Austin would have provided some relief to Perez, considering his team has reportedly given him an ultimatum that if he doesn’t maintain his second-place position in the championship, he will be replaced by Ricciardo.

Aston Martin’s struggles

Aston Martin’s fall from being the second-fastest car on the track to now being slower than Alpha Tauri has been a remarkable story. Additionally, considering the fact that even after bringing some much-needed upgrades to their car, both drivers were out in Q1 suggests that they still have a lot of work to do. 

However, it is important to note that some of these challenges might be attributed to incorrect setups, given that the teams had only one practice session. Furthermore, Aston Martin is actively working on introducing new updates for the Mexican GP.

Norris’ first win

The US GP reiterated the genuine pace of McLaren, with Lando Norris leading the race for several laps and maintaining a strong position even after Verstappen overtook him. This prompts the question: Can McLaren secure a win this season? While Verstappen’s dominance presents a challenge, Norris’s first victory may be within reach, especially considering that his teammate Piastri effectively held off Verstappen in the Sprint race.