Fireworks at Turn 1? What to look out for in F1’s Mexico City Grand Prix

Here's what to look out for in Formula 1's 2021 Mexico City Grand Prix…

The run down to Turn 1 

At over 800 metres, the run down to Turn 1 on the opening lap of the Mexico City GP is the longest on the F1 calendar. 

Like at Sochi in Russia, starting from pole position is perhaps not as beneficial as you'd think given the potential to be slipstreamed by the cars behind into the opening sequence in corners. 

The Mercedes drivers will be wary of Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez behind as with Red Bull lacking straight-line speed relative to its rivals, it will know that Lap 1 will provide the best opportunity to get past.

The opening lap in Mexico is usually dramatic - in 2016, both Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg controversially took to the grass on the opening lap, with the former fortunate to escape a penalty, while Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel collided a year later on the first lap.

In 2019, Hamilton and Verstappen made contact at the Turn 2 pinch point and were both forced to take to the grass. Red Bull boss Christian Horner is hoping to avoid a repeat this time around. 

“We don’t want an action replay, if you look at 2019, Max starting third, Lewis got very aggressive into Turn 2, and then a puncture [after more contact with Bottas screwed the rest of the race.

“You’ve got to be there at the finish, and I still think we’ve got a great chance in this race. It’s certainly harder than it was looking perhaps earlier this morning.”

When asked about the prospect of the opening lap, Hamilton said: “It's a little bit different [to Russia]. It's almost as long. But in Russia there is a lot more drag and more tow effect. Here, there is less but there is still a tow effect, and so Valtteri and I will no doubt work as a team to try and hold one-two for the team.”

Bottas knows the importance of a good start from pole position, he added: “To maintain the first two places you still need a really good start. If the guys behind have even a little bit better start, they will have an upper hand.”

Lap 1 could be fireworks.

2 v 2 at the front

For the first time since the French Grand Prix, F1 could be set for its first 2 v 2 battle at the front with Mercedes up against Red Bull

Hamilton and Verstappen have been in a league of their own in 2021 but it’s fair to say in recent races their respective teammates have stepped up and will play a key role in deciding the destination of this year’s drivers’ title. 

With Bottas taking another engine penalty last time out at the Circuit of the Americas, Hamilton was left to fend against the two Red Bulls by himself. 

While Perez wasn’t a serious factor for the victory, his earlier pit stop forced Hamilton to respond and thus Mercedes couldn’t run its preferred strategy in a bid to beat Verstappen. 

With four cars at the front, both teams can be flexible with their strategic choices as they look to overcome one another. 

In 2019, Hamilton made the most of a one-stop strategy to overcome the two Ferraris.

Despite the start-finish straight, on paper looks like a good overtaking opportunity, the high altitude makes the DRS effect less powerful, while the thinner air means cooling is a bigger issue than usual meaning following other cars is incredibly difficult. 

Like in Austin, track position will be crucial.

Ricciardo up against two Ferraris

Daniel Ricciardo was pleased to split the Ferraris in qualifying after a gearbox issue curtailed his running in second practice. 

McLaren teammate Lando Norris is the final Mercedes-powered driver to take new engine components, so he will start from the back of the grid, leaving Ricciardo alone up against Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc.

The battle for third in the constructors’ championship is finely poised with just 3.5 points between the two teams going into the final five races of the season. 

Despite being slower at the Circuit of the Americas, Ricciardo was able to fend off Sainz for much of the race. 

The Australian is hoping to make the most of the clean side of the grid to gain crucial track position over the Ferraris.

“If around here you can manage a one-stop it is a much quicker way to go,” Ricciardo explained. “Whoever does that successfully gives him a better chance. 

“As we saw last week, if I can get the track position on the Ferraris and even if they are a bit quicker maybe that is enough to hold them off. Hopefully that clean side of the grid gives it to me tomorrow.”

Messy midfield 

After all the various engine penalties have been applied, the midfield is in an unfamiliar state with Haas duo Mick Schumacher and Nikita Mazepin set to start the race from 14th and 15th.

Unusual territory for the two rookies but a great opportunity for them to experience the hustle and bustle of the midfield. 

Naturally, when there are faster cars at the back of the grid - Yuki Tsunoda, Lance Stroll and Norris will be at the back after taking fresh power units - they will be eager to make progress early on, which could lead to some tasty action in the opening laps of the race.