2015 Mexican GP @ Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez

[auaq]

The last time we had the Mexican GP was back in 1992. The year when the great Nigel Mansell had finally become a world champion and then retired after 1992 season only to return for a few races for the Mclaren team two or three years later. Mansell and his teammate Riccardo Patrese, both racing for one of the best teams back then Williams GP, had won this race. A 1-2 for the Williams GP team, as we know, were pretty much dominant throughout the 1990's era. Following them home was then the rising superstar Michael Schumacher in third place racing for the Benetton-Ford team.

The old or the last track layout was a fairly simple track with the first sector mainly having a long straight before entering into the middle sector from turn 6 which then became very technical with a lot of 'S' shaped layout or called the 'Esses'. A total of 6 to 7 right-left-right turns before turning the wheel back straight onto a short straight section of final and third sector which resembles a lot like the Monza's layout - Curva Parabolica. Back then this track was known for being bumpy because of the different soil underneath varying across and around the track.

Here's what the last track layout looked like.


One of the best overtaking maneuver was from Nigel Mansell when he overtook Gerherd Berger (Mclaren-Honda) from the outside at 14 at an incredible speed in 1990. Here's the video.



This year we will see the return of Mexican GP nearly after 23 years. This time we have a new track layout. Here's a quick video I found.



And the new track layout.

Drivers	Championship Points
Lewis Hamilton	327
Sebastian Vettel	251
Nico Rosberg	247
Kimi Raikkonen	123
Valtteri Bottas	111
Felipe Massa	109
Daniil Kvyat	76
Daniel Ricciardo	74
Sergio Perez	64
Max Verstappen	45
Romain Grosjean	44
Nico Hulkenberg	38
Felipe Nasr	27
Pastor Maldonaldo	26
Carlos Sainz	18
Jenson Button	16
Fernando Alonso	11
Marcus Ericsson	9

Constructors	Championship Points
Mercedes AMG	574
Ferrari	374
Williams	220
RBR	150
Force India	102
Lotus	70
Toro Rosso	63
Sauber	36
Mclaren	27
Manor	0

Now that Hamilton is a 2015 world champion, let us see who takes up the second place. Vettel? Rosberg?

[gary88]

I just can't wait to see how Nico performs this race. He has absolutely nothing to lose and everything to prove.

[BoldUlysses]

I just can't wait to see how Nico performs this race. He has absolutely nothing to lose and everything to prove.

+1 The battle for 2nd in the WDC is going to be verrrry interesting. That's been Rosberg's real battle all year---not between him and Hamilton, but between him and Vettel.

[m3fuz]

If Vettel presses, Nico will flinch. He's a great driver, no doubt about that, but he's never going to be a great racer unless he grows a pair and hits back.

[BoldUlysses]

If Vettel presses, Nico will flinch. He's a great driver, no doubt about that, but he's never going to be a great racer unless he grows a pair and hits back.

I agree. Just for the sake of argument, though, would you have advised him to just let Hamilton collide with him at Turn 1 last weekend?

Rosberg's had his share of "bold" moves; thing is, they usually end up disastrously (see: Sochi 2014). Between that and his tendency to crack under pressure, I agree he'll never be a top flight racer.

Webber > Rosberg?

[m3fuz]

I agree. Just for the sake of argument, though, would you have advised him to just let Hamilton collide with him at Turn 1 last weekend?

Rosberg's had his share of "bold" moves; thing is, they usually end up disastrously (see: Sochi 2014). Between that and his tendency to crack under pressure, I agree he'll never be a top flight racer.

Webber > Rosberg?

Absolutely Webber > Rosberg. No question (in my mind anyway) about that.

I think Rosberg should have run hard left and try to limit how much room Hamilton had in that opening turn. I think doing so would have put Hamilton on notice early that he was serious without causing an issue. Rosberg maintained a straighter line than he should have and allowed Hamilton to force the issue. Just my 0.02.

[BoldUlysses]

I think Rosberg should have run hard left and try to limit how much room Hamilton had in that opening turn. I think doing so would have put Hamilton on notice early that he was serious without causing an issue. Rosberg maintained a straighter line than he should have and allowed Hamilton to force the issue. Just my 0.02.

Could probably make the argument that pole should've been on the inside line. Sure the outside line is the normal racing line, but the start is hardly "normal" racing circumstances. I dunno. Onto Mexico!

[hakentt]

Bernie Ecclestone will get paid $72 million dollars for each Mexican grand prix for 5 years. More than half of the money is coming from unpopular government of president Pena Nieto. Ironically the worst president of Mexico ever was Carlos Salinas who was F1 fan and who was responsible for bringing F1 to Mexico from 1986 to 1992.

[RidgeBack]

Busy watching FP1

With the altitude 2200 meters, there's approximately 25% less air density. Therefore cooling is a huge issue.

Rosberg's rear brakes just caught on fire at the Stadium (turn 12-13):

[BoldUlysses]

Whoa.



In related news, I read it's interesting to watch the cars in full downforce trim on such a high speed track, a configuration they can get away with because of the air density. Allegedly speeds will be as high as, if not higher than Monza.

[Yonkers320is]

they were hitting speeds of 225mph. there is a 90% chance of rain on Sunday, should be an interesting race.

[auaq]

Damn! 225mph??? Man, I've got to sit down and watch this race and stop working on my car.

[Yonkers320is]

Damn! 225mph??? Man, I've got to sit down and watch this race and stop working on my car.

Yeah, LH got clocked at 362km/h at the speed trap on the straight.

[gary88]

At this elevation the turbos are going to be working extra hard too. Honda will probably get to 3 laps before exploding.

[RidgeBack]

Yep, the track is also very green and especially slippery off line. Going to be an interesting quali.

[BoldUlysses]

Quali:

1 Nico Rosberg Mercedes 1m19.480s
2 Lewis Hamilton Mercedes +0.188s
3 Sebastian Vettel Ferrari +0.370s
4 Daniil Kvyat Red Bull +0.918s
5 Daniel Ricciardo Red Bull +0.919s
6 Valtteri Bottas Williams +0.968s
7 Felipe Massa Williams +1.087s
8 Max Verstappen Toro Rosso +1.230s
9 Sergio Perez Force India +1.236s
10 Nico Hulkenberg Force India +1.308s
11 Carlos Sainz Toro Rosso +1.462s
12 Romain Grosjean Lotus +1.558s
13 Pastor Maldonado Lotus +1.781s
14 Marcus Ericsson Sauber +2.064s
15 Kimi Raikkonen Ferrari +3.014s
16 Fernando Alonso McLaren +2.299s
17 Felipe Nasr Sauber +2.308s
18 Alexander Rossi Marussia +4.656s
19 Will Stevens Marussia +4.906s
20 Jenson Button McLaren

[janders211]

Errrr quali coverage 9h later here for no reason i understand. Well now i know.

[RidgeBack]

Good quali:

my 4 drivers made it to Q3 - Vettel, Bottas, Verstappen, and Hulk.

Nico on pole was a bit of icing.

Also Vettel in P3 = both of them get the rubbered in side of the track. The green (even numbers) side is going to probably lose cars there a couple of meters on the start.

[auaq]

What time is the race tomorrow? I don't want to miss this as I have some of the previous ones.

[BoldUlysses]

Prerace starts 2:30 PM EST on NBC (not NBCSN) if you're so inclined.

[gary88]

In before Nico has a poor start and gives up the first corner again.

[m3fuz]

Prerace starts 2:30 PM EST on NBC (not NBCSN) if you're so inclined.

Pre-race starts at 1:30EST.

http://motorsports.nbcsports.com/201...-nbc-networks/

[gary88]

Rain possible mid-race apparently.

[hakentt]

Univision deportes a local free to air channel is broadcasting the race in 1080p

[gary88]

Alonso out on the first lap, you can't make this up