Seven of the 10 Formula 1 teams have brought updates for this weekend’s Mexican Grand Prix at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, most of which are targeted at managing the high temperatures encountered at the track.
The high altitude and thinner air of Mexico City not only reduces the aerodynamic performance of the cars, it also makes it much harder to cool them. Power units and brakes are a particular area of concern, and we saw teams encounter problems with both in practice, leading to stoppages for Alfa Romeo, AlphaTauri and Haas.
With the upcoming races in Brazil and Abu Dhabi also likely to feature high temperatures, this event is a timely opportunity for teams to improve their cooling options. McLaren and AlphaTauri have brought particularly extensive cooling upgrades, though Liam Lawson came to a smoky stop during first practice while driving for the latter.
Ferrari, Alpine and Haas are the only teams not to have brought any upgrades this weekend.
2022 Mexican Grand Prix F1 teams’ updates
Mercedes
Floor Edge
Reason for change: None
Difference: “Revised floor edge detail”
Description: “The revised floor edge is a test item on an older specification floor that will be run by Nyck de Vries in [first practice], to evaluate a different concept in this area of the car.”
Red Bull
Coke/Engine Cover
Reason for change: Reliability
Difference: “Enlarged top-body central spine for more cooling”
Description: “Revised exit geometry for central top body part only to increase overall cooling capacity given the reduced ambient pressure and therefore density in Mexico City.”
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McLaren
Rear Corner
Reason for change: Performance – local load
Difference: “Additional winglets on rear brake duct assembly”
Description: “The additional winglets fitted to the rear brake duct assembly increase local suction and resulting load on the rear corner assembly.”
Coke/Engine Cover
Reason for change: Circuit specific – cooling range
Difference: “Slots in the engine cover”
Description: “Two centreline slots can be added to the engine cover if required, increasing cooling mass flow resulting in lower fluid temperatures.”
Louvres
Reason for change: Cooling circuit specific – cooling range
Difference: “High cooling…
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