Before the dust can settle at COTA, Formula One moves straight over to the Mexico City Grand Prix circuit. Here's everything you need to know for this weekend's action.
Image credit: Getty Images/Red Bull Content Pool
Last week, Formula One tackled the undulations of COTA in Austin, Texas. Max Verstappen came out on top with a fantastic drive from sixth on the grid. This week, the championship hops across the southern US border into Mexico for round 20.
Mexico always produces fantastic racing alongside some of the closest racing from the past few seasons.
Although it bypasses the legendary Peraltada for the most part, the stadium section of the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez is quite a spectacular setting on its own. Image credit: Getty Images/Red Bull Content Pool
Verstappen did not see a need for such measures, but team boss Christian Horner has stated that it is Red Bull's "duty of care" for their drivers to take such measures for their safety.
The Dutchman has already wrapped up the driver's championship, however, the fight for second place is well and truly on for his Mexican teammate Sergio Perez. There could be more at stake, too - what happens this weekend could determine his future with Red Bull.
Heading into the Mexico City Grand Prix weekend, Perez sits 226 points behind his teammate Verstappen, and just 39 ahead of Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton.
Sergio Perez future with Red Bull Racing may be in doubt, but that does not change his popularity with his compatriot fans. Image credit: Getty Images/Red Bull Content Pool
Ahead of the Mexican GP, Hamilton was quoted by The Guardian saying he had heard "from several sources that there were a lot of other cars that were illegal and they were not tested so they got away with it."
The seven-time World Champion made out the Sprint Race format to be a problem due to the small amount of time to fix the cars after it. "We have never had that problem in Austin before, and it is because we had a sprint race. An easy fix is that we should be able to change the floors. The car should not be set from Friday morning, especially at the bumpiest track on the calendar. That is the only reason there were failures."
8 pm: Mexico City GP Practice One (CET)
11.45 pm: Mexico City GP Practice Two (CET)
Saturday, October 28th
7.15 pm: Mexico City GP Practice Three (CET)
11 pm: Mexico City GP Qualifying (CET)
Sunday, October 29th
9 pm: Mexico City GP (CET)
Who are you rooting for in the Mexico City Grand Prix? Let us know in the poll or by leaving a comment below!
Image credit: Getty Images/Red Bull Content Pool
Last week, Formula One tackled the undulations of COTA in Austin, Texas. Max Verstappen came out on top with a fantastic drive from sixth on the grid. This week, the championship hops across the southern US border into Mexico for round 20.
Mexico always produces fantastic racing alongside some of the closest racing from the past few seasons.
Although it bypasses the legendary Peraltada for the most part, the stadium section of the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez is quite a spectacular setting on its own. Image credit: Getty Images/Red Bull Content Pool
Max Verstappen's Bodyguards
The big headline heading into the Mexican Grand Prix is the presence of two bodyguards for three-time World champion, Max Verstappen. Red Bull's Helmut Marko confirmed it was due to safety concerns regarding social media threats as well as booing from as far back as the Qatar Grand Prix.Verstappen did not see a need for such measures, but team boss Christian Horner has stated that it is Red Bull's "duty of care" for their drivers to take such measures for their safety.
The Dutchman has already wrapped up the driver's championship, however, the fight for second place is well and truly on for his Mexican teammate Sergio Perez. There could be more at stake, too - what happens this weekend could determine his future with Red Bull.
Heading into the Mexico City Grand Prix weekend, Perez sits 226 points behind his teammate Verstappen, and just 39 ahead of Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton.
Sergio Perez future with Red Bull Racing may be in doubt, but that does not change his popularity with his compatriot fans. Image credit: Getty Images/Red Bull Content Pool
US GP Plank Debate Still Alive
Meanwhile, the debate about the disqualifications of Hamilton and Charles Leclerc at the United States Grand Prix due to excessive wear to the wooden floor plank on their cars continues. While Leclerc lost his sixth-place finish, Hamilton got his second place taken away after the COTA race.Ahead of the Mexican GP, Hamilton was quoted by The Guardian saying he had heard "from several sources that there were a lot of other cars that were illegal and they were not tested so they got away with it."
The seven-time World Champion made out the Sprint Race format to be a problem due to the small amount of time to fix the cars after it. "We have never had that problem in Austin before, and it is because we had a sprint race. An easy fix is that we should be able to change the floors. The car should not be set from Friday morning, especially at the bumpiest track on the calendar. That is the only reason there were failures."
When To Watch The Mexican Grand Prix
Friday, October 27th8 pm: Mexico City GP Practice One (CET)
11.45 pm: Mexico City GP Practice Two (CET)
Saturday, October 28th
7.15 pm: Mexico City GP Practice Three (CET)
11 pm: Mexico City GP Qualifying (CET)
Sunday, October 29th
9 pm: Mexico City GP (CET)
Who are you rooting for in the Mexico City Grand Prix? Let us know in the poll or by leaving a comment below!
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