McLaren’s Fernando Alonso thinks the Mexican circuit Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez presents a different set of challenge to many other layouts. The reason for that is the needed compromise between downforce and balance.
Fernando Alonso
“Last year we went to the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez with a lot of unknowns. We had relatively little information about how the cars would perform on the reconfigured circuit. It poses a very different set of challenges to many other circuits because of the compromise you need between good downforce on the fast straights and also strong balance in the twisty stadium section. And then there’s the altitude, which affects performance in itself. It will be difficult to bring all of the elements together to get the best out of a lap. But I’m looking forward to seeing where our package compares to last year.”
“Last year the support we received in Mexico City made it one of the best crowds all season, so the whole team is looking forward to going back there for the second time at this famous circuit. The buzz from the fans really makes a difference to the drivers. Although we didn’t have a smooth weekend there last year, I still remember it as one of the highlight events. The whole experience was really enjoyable. Given how tough the race is on our cars, I hope we can achieve good reliability and enjoy a better result on track this time, and make the most of the incredible support.”
Jenson Button
“I really enjoyed driving on this circuit last year. It wasn’t an easy track for us, but it’s a really rewarding layout for a driver. The mixture of the very high-speed straights and the infield section at the end of the lap does give you a bit of everything. It really puts a smile on your face. We were definitely strongest in the final sector around the stadium. So we’ll need to put those strengths to good use if we’re to give ourselves a fighting chance.”
“We’re very lucky that we have huge support from fans at all the circuits we go to around the world. But I can honestly say that the reception we got from the Mexican crowd last year was a feeling like nothing else I’ve ever experienced. Every time you drove around the stadium section you could actually feel the roar from inside the car. It was unbelievable. I hope we put on a great show again this year and recreate that incredible atmosphere.”
