McLaren previews this weekend's F1 race at The Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez in Mexico.

2015 MEXICAN GRAND PRIX PREVIEW

Round 17/19 30 October - 01 November 2015 Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez snapshot

Fernando Alonso “I’m really excited about racing in Mexico. There’s a big motorsport fan base in the country, so I’m sure the atmosphere at the track will be fantastic. The circuit looks interesting to drive, so it will be great to get out there during Friday practice; it’s always fun to race at new venues.” Jenson Button“It was satisfying to get more points on the board in Austin. We maximised the strategic opportunities presented to us and we’ll try to maintain that momentum in Mexico. I remember watching GPs there on the TV and it always looked like an amazing atmosphere.” Circuit lowdown Formula One returns to the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez in Mexico City after a 23-year absence. The 4.305km (2.675-mile) circuit has been heavily revised since it last hosted a grand prix, in 1992, but it remains on its original site in the Magdalena Mixhuca Park and it retains its name, in memory of the Rodríguez brothers. The layout consists of seven left-handers and 10 right-handers, but the 1.314km (0.816-mile) pit straight has perhaps the biggest influence on car set-up. To achieve a predicted top speed of 328km/h (204mph), the cars will need to maximise a delicate trade-off between aerodynamic downforce and drag, and complicating matters further is the altitude. Situated at 2,200 metres (7,218 feet), the Autódromo is considerably higher than any other venue in F1. There is only 78 per cent of the oxygen available at sea level, which changes the performance characteristics of the car and the power unit. The turbo has to spin faster to compensate for the lack of oxygen entering the ICE (internal combustion engine) and the thinner air means the car generates less aerodynamic downforce at any given wing level. Many of the faster sections of track have been altered since the last race. The Esses have been modified in the name of safety and the notorious final corner, Peraltada, is no longer included in its entirety. The banked 180-degree right-hander is now preceded by a stadium section, from which the cars emerge in second gear halfway around Peraltada. The asphalt is new, giving the surface an oily film which will be slippery to begin with. At least the teams will be using familiar tyre compounds because Pirelli is taking the same rubber to Mexico that has been used on seven previous occasions this year. The Soft (Option) and Medium (Prime) compounds will provide traction out of the slow corners, while providing resistance through some of the faster corners. McLaren has a good record in Mexico, having won at the track on three previous occasions. However, the venue will be new to Fernando Alonso and Jenson Button, both of whom were still karting when the last Mexican Grand Prix took place in 1992.

Mexico facts & stats

It's all about: the race Start time 1300 (local) / 1900 (GMT) Race distance 71 laps (full world championship points awarded after 75 per cent distance/53 laps) 2014 winner N/A 2014 pole position N/A 2014 fastest lap N/A Safety Car likelihood Unknown because there is no historical data from the re-profiled track. However, there’s plenty of run-off and that usually reduces the chances of a Safety Car Don't put the kettle on... on laps 20 or 46. The asphalt is new, smooth and oily and there are some fears that this combination could result in some tyre blistering. Pirelli expects most cars to complete the race on a two-stop strategy, which would mean stopping on or around these laps Weather forecast Warm. Temperatures in the mid-20s are expected, but the amount of smog covering the city will have an impact on heat and air quality It's all about: the track First race 1963 Circuit length 4.304km / 2.675 miles Run to Turn One 800m / 0.497 miles Longest straight 1.314km / 0.816 miles, on the approach to Turn One Top speed 328km/h / 204mph on the approach to Turn One DRS zones Two – on the approach to Turn One and again on the approach to Turn Four Key corner Turn 17, the newly-named Nigel Mansell Corner. It leads onto the pit straight and will influence overtaking through the DRS zones and tyre wear Pitlane length 650 metres / 0.404 miles Major changes for 2015 The track has been re-profiled since the last Mexican GP in 1992 It's all about: the car Fuel consumption 1.49kg per lap, which is on the low side Full throttle 43 per cent Brake wear Medium. The biggest braking point is at the end of the pit straight, where the braking forces will exceed 5g Gear changes 44 per lap / 3,124 per race

Did you know? The Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez will have the second fastest average speed of the year, after Monza. Technical words of wisdom Matt Morris, engineering director “Even with our sophisticated simulation tools, there are a few unknowns going into the Mexican Grand Prix. The asphalt at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez is new and we won’t really know how that will affect the tyres until practice gets underway, and then there’s the altitude. At 2,200m (7,218 feet) above sea level, this track is much the highest that we race at and that will put the power unit under pressure. The turbo has to compensate for the lack of oxygen entering the ICE, which will put extra emphasis on reliability for all teams.” Our most memorable Mexican Grand Prix: 1988 The long pit straight on the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez was perfectly-suited to the powerful and all-dominant Honda V6 Turbo. In qualifying trim the cars exceeded 200mph (322 km/h) along this stretch of track and, unsurprisingly, Honda-powered cars filled four of the top six positions on the grid. The McLaren-Hondas of Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost locked out the front row of the grid, Ayrton 0.6s faster than Alain in qualifying. The start of the race was aborted after Alessandro Nannini stalled his Benetton. Clutches then began to cook as the cars awaited the re-start and Ayrton ended up making a poor getaway, leaving Alain to sweep into the lead on the drag to Turn One. Nelson Piquet also passed Ayrton, leaving the younger of the two Brazilians with a lot of work to do. Ayrton dived past Piquet under braking for Peraltada at the end of lap one, but Alain was already two seconds up the road and able to control the race from the front. When Ayrton tried to apply pressure towards the end of the race, the Frenchman set a new lap record and ended up crossing the line 7.0s ahead of his team-mate.

McLaren at the Mexican Grand Prix

Wins 3 (1969, 1988, 1989) Poles 3 (1988, 1989, 1990) Fastest laps 2 (1988, 1992)

#14 Fernando Alonso Age 34 (July 29 1981) GPs 249 Wins 32 Poles 22 Fastest laps 21 Best result in Mexico N/A

“I really enjoyed the race in Austin and it was definitely one of the most exhilarating races for McLaren-Honda this year so far. It was a hard fight, but we didn’t give up. I hope we can repeat some of those battles in Mexico, but we’re expecting a tough fight on a circuit that on paper won’t suit our car. “It’ll be interesting as we have no data from there so the conditions are unknown, which makes it pretty exciting. Going to a new grand prix at a venue that the current generation of F1 drivers hasn’t been to yet is going to be something special, especially as it already has a great reputation since the last time a race was held there. “From what I’ve seen of the circuit, it looks like a great design with some interesting corners, and the combination of a high top speed and new asphalt will mean getting set-up right from the first possible moment will be very important to get the maximum downforce. It’s an exciting new chapter for Formula 1 and I’m looking forward to seeing where we are this weekend.”

#22 Jenson Button Age 35 (January 19 1980) GPs 281 Wins 15 Poles 8 Fastest laps 8 Best result in Mexico N/A

“Austin was an exciting race and the mixed conditions meant we were able to race on a more level playing field with our competitors until the track dried out towards the end. If the weather stays dry next weekend in Mexico, we know we’ll have a much more difficult grand prix on our hands, so we need to take the opportunity to gather as much data as we can and work on maximising our strategy for our car’s performance. “The circuit itself looks really interesting - I remember as a kid watching some incredible battles there and the drivers hanging onto their cars around Peraltada, which looked mega, if a bit scary! It’s a shame that corner hasn’t been included in the new layout, but from what I’ve seen of the track and heard from others that have visited, it looks like it’ll be a fun challenge. “The altitude is easily the highest we have to deal with at any grand prix on the calendar, so that in itself will be something new for all the teams to work with, and the fact this circuit has the second highest top speed after Monza will mean it won’t be easy for us. Saying that, having good balance and downforce in the car will be crucial so we’ll get stuck in with set-up and see how we fare on Friday morning. I’m really looking forward to going to a new grand prix venue and hopefully we can learn a lot this weekend and put on another good show.”

Eric Boullier Racing director, McLaren-Honda “We go to Mexico on the back of securing some valuable points after a dramatic weekend in Austin, and the Mexican Grand Prix promises a whole new set of unknowns as we get to know a new circuit layout at an altitude of 2,200 metres. It’s certainly an exciting prospect for the thousands of fans we’ll get to see over the course of the weekend. “This will be the first Mexican Grand Prix on the Formula 1 calendar since 1992, but many of our team members will remember at least one grand prix held there previously, and those who don’t will surely have heard about the circuit’s great legacy. The Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez holds special memories for both McLaren and Honda: Richie Ginther took Honda’s first-ever Formula 1 win there in 1965; Denny Hulme won for McLaren in 1969, and together McLaren-Honda dominated the Mexican Grand Prix in both 1988 and ’89, at the hands of Alain Prost and Ayrton Senna respectively. “Although we have enjoyed past successes in Mexico, the 23-year break makes it feel like a new grand prix location, which always makes for a special weekend and a unique atmosphere as the form book is an exciting unknown. The characteristics of this track are definitely challenging, and it’s important that we get on top of set-up and tyre wear on the new asphalt as soon as possible. There’s a lot for all the teams to learn in a relatively short period of time, but, as a racer, I’m really looking forward to seeing how the weekend unfolds and hope that we see some great racing on this legendary circuit.”

Yasuhisa Arai Honda R&D senior managing officer - chief officer of motorsport “It is an honour to be back racing at Autodrómo Hermanos Rodríguez, the track where Honda won its first F1 grand prix in 1965 with Richie Ginther behind the wheel. “F1 technology, the circuit and Honda have all changed significantly since then, and this weekend's race will be a big challenge for all of the teams in the paddock. The track layout is new and we will all be working with newly acquired data gained from the free practice sessions. Plus, the turbocharger must work harder to maintain its usual output due to the increase in altitude, to push more air to the engine. Energy management will also be difficult, as the track consists of long straights and tight corners. “As weather predictions go, the rain will be following us from Austin to Mexico City, so we will have to efficiently use the no-doubt limited running times to our advantage in car set-up. McLaren-Honda will work as one to balance both the power unit and chassis performance to its maximum potential to be ready for the race.”