GP Mexico: Preview – Haas

The Uralkali Haas F1 team is ready for the latest triple header with a drive south of the border to Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez for the Mexico City Grand Prix, round 18 of the 2021 FIA Formula 1 World Championship.

The Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, located in the eastern suburbs of Mexico City, had several times on the Formula 1 calendar and returned for its final appearance in 2015 after first debuting in 1963.

The early stages of the lap are dominated by two long straights connected by a complex of 90-degree turns, while a slow sequence of turns leads to a series of high-speed meals. The unique heart of the racetrack is the Foro Sol stadium. Since the circuit was renovated for the return of Formula 1 in 2015, a stretch of track has taken drivers through the Foro Sol, amid thousands of enthusiastic fans, and where stars like Sir Paul McCartney, U2 and The Rolling Stones have played to the full.

The high altitude of Mexico City also presents teams and drivers with another challenge. At over 2,200 meters above sea level, it is arguably the highest route visited by Formula 1, which means that the air is less dense, almost 25 percent less than routes at sea level. It affects both aerodynamics and engine performance, with the reduced downforce affecting cornering speed and braking potential, while the turbo has to work harder and affect temperatures and cooling.

Even when large rear wings, which are typically used in Monaco, are used in Mexico City, only downforce values ​​are achieved that are typically found in Monza. On the long main straight of the course, this leads to the fastest top speeds of the season with up to 370 km / h in the slipstream and also has an effect on tire wear, especially in the middle section of the lap.

The Uralkali Haas F1 Team is returning to Mexico City for the first time since 2019, while rookies Nikita Mazepin and Mick Schumacher will test the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez for the first time.

The US Grand Prix was a memorable event for the sport, with a record 400,000 fans attending the race weekend. As America’s Formula 1 team, can you give us your perspective on the event and the spectators who made it a memorable affair?
Günther Steiner: “As far as I know, it was the biggest event of all time for Formula 1. I was proud to be there and proud that Haas was there. The Uralkali Haas F1 Team, as the only American team, certainly had some influence in attracting this large audience and making Americans aware of Formula 1. It was unforgettable and I think it will grow even more, especially next year when we have two races in the US – one in Miami and one in Austin. “

Switching from one fan favorite to another – the Mexico City Grand Prix. Neither Nikita nor Mick experienced the roar of the audience driving through the busy Foro Sol grandstand at T13 & T14. When the fans return in droves and the paddock opens – are these all aspects of a racing weekend that rookie drivers have to be prepared for when they get into Formula 1?
GS: “It has to be a fantastic feeling for a driver to walk through this stadium – it’s like a football player in a full stadium. It’s nowhere other than Mexico so I think when you first experience it, you will be it be her. ” Say “Wow” and after that you will never be forgotten that first time. When we open everything more, we return to what we are used to, which is fantastic. I hope we can keep it that way and the pandemic will go away at some point and we’ll return to normal, which in my opinion is a much better world than the COVID world, so keep your fingers crossed. The drivers are now starting to experience real Formula 1 when everything is open again. “

We have seen in recent races that both Uralkali Haas F1 drivers start higher up the grid due to the increasing number of drivers receiving penalties for taking new parts. Have you seen an improvement in your confidence and skills as you get used to the chaos that can come with the first turn and the drama in the opening lap?
GS: “It’s very good for our drivers that this is happening at the moment, so they don’t always start last and penultimate or at best 17th and 18th. It goes a little further. if everyone has to change their engine they end up on pole position but I think we are running out of time for this year Starting from these positions with our own resources, with a more powerful car, it is a great opportunity for them to learn and To take things over as every time they do one of these starts they learn a lot about how to behave and how to behave to get the most out of it. “

Have three races in so many weeks before the third and final triple header of the FIA ​​Formula 1 World Championship in 2021 helped the team and the drivers in this transition season? How do you keep team morale and motivation high as we approach the final five events of the year?
GS: “Three races are very tough for everyone, but now it’s part of it. If the demand is there, as we saw in Austin, we have to meet that demand and try to give the fans the show. If they want it, We have to be there when they want it. It’s tough, but it’s also a time to get used to in a way and I think we’ll get into that at some point and it will be normal. We will adapt and always doing our best for our employees to make our employees as comfortable as possible. We keep morale up which I think as we all see the end of the season and we are all looking forward to the car in 2022. That’s that currently the biggest motivator of the last five events. “

The 18th round of the FIA ​​Formula 1 World Championship 2021 will take us to the heights of the Mexico City Grand Prix. The Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez is 2 km above sea level and presents cars – and teams alike – with new challenges on the track. Are there any special preparations for long-term driving in such conditions?
Nikita Mazepin: “First of all, less oxygen means that it is difficult for riders to ride with a high heart rate and perform well. Unfortunately we don’t have too much downforce, but we’ll do our best and I’m very excited to be on a new track drive and see how it feels. “

A side effect of high altitudes can be a lack of downforce. If Sector 1 is a breeding ground for action, overtaking opportunities and late braking after long straights without having driven here before, how long does it take to feel comfortable on a new track?
NM: “It’s hard to say. There are many factors that contribute to being comfortable on a new track. I usually don’t hate the low downforce tracks like Monza and Baku, I felt pretty comfortable, but it there are a lot of challenges in Mexico. Since I’ve never been there, I’m looking forward to the challenge and I’m open to what the weekend might bring. “

Mexican fans are some of the loudest and most passionate about any Formula 1 event, and this is best seen at the T12 when the cars pull into the Foro Sol section of the stadium. How much can you really hear and know about the race in the cockpit, and can this atmosphere really motivate or put pressure on a driver’s race?
NM: “Since I’m not from there, it doesn’t really put me under pressure, but it’s nice to see that people enjoy the event you’re attending. It’s great that Formula 1 puts a smile on people’s faces and maybe their weekends are more interesting than being home and watching the race on TV. The locals are very welcoming – I was there two weeks ago – and I got a bit of the atmosphere and the passion of the people about how much they like Formula 1, so I’m looking forward to getting out at full speed. “

The 18th round of the FIA ​​Formula 1 World Championship 2021 will take us to the heights of the Mexico City Grand Prix. The Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez is 2 km above sea level and presents cars – and teams alike – with new challenges on the track. Are there any special preparations for long-term driving in such conditions?
Mick Schumacher: “I wouldn’t say that there was any special training or preparation, but there is definitely the certainty that the car will feel different, the car will be different on the track and the engine will be less powerful. There will be other difficulties. ” and maybe another perspective we need to consider how the car will behave here. For me personally, I don’t really notice it. “

A side effect of high altitudes can be a lack of downforce. If Sector 1 is a breeding ground for action, overtaking opportunities and late braking after long straights without having driven here before, how long does it take to feel comfortable on a new track?
MS: “Fortunately I had the chance to drive the simulator so I have a good idea of ​​what to expect. I’m really looking forward to it, it felt really good and I think it will be a lot of fun.”

Mexican fans are some of the loudest and most passionate about any Formula 1 event, and this is best seen at the T12 when the cars pull into the Foro Sol section of the stadium. How much can you really hear and know about the race in the cockpit, and can this atmosphere really motivate or put pressure on a driver’s race?
MS: “I’m really looking forward to seeing the Mexican fans. I was told that it is very nice and the passion you feel when you drive there, especially to drive through the stadium part so it’s exciting to go there. I think if you have the opportunity to listen during the race it definitely motivates you to do well so I look forward to hearing the crowd cheer and do my best there. “