Next up in this triple-header of races is Mexico City. The jam-packed Foro Sol stadium section always makes for an incredible backdrop to the racing, and we’ve been able to celebrate three victories and 10 podiums with these passionate Mexican fans since its return to the F1 calendar in 2015.
If there’s one word you’ll hear countless times this weekend, it’s altitude. The Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez is located about 2,285 metres above sea level and impacts both the cars and the people.
With lower oxygen levels in the Mexican capital, the drag on our W15 will be much lower as a result of the thinner air, but this will be the same for all our competitors too. This can lead to big top speeds, especially down the long start-finish straight, as there’s less disruption from the air.
The altitude can also influence the internal components of the cars, such as the turbocharger which works overtime to get more air into the engine.
On the human side, altitude sickness can be an unpleasant experience with headaches, fatigue and dizziness all symptoms.
The schedule is somewhat back to normal this weekend, although the second Free Practice session will be 30 minutes longer than usual for a 2025 Pirelli tyre test.