The Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez hosts the Mexican Grand Prix for the 22nd time this weekend.
But after Mexico’s own Sergio Perez claimed the first home podium here last year, can the local fans dream of a victory this season?
Here are the talking points for the Mexican Grand Prix.
A possible home win for Perez?
Six drivers in the history of Formula 1 have taken a start in a grand prix with the flag of Mexico emblazoned on their cars. Earlier this season, Red Bull driver Perez surpassed Pedro Rodriguez as the most successful grand prix driver of all time by winning the Monaco Grand Prix, his third career win.
While team mate Max Verstappen has romped to a second consecutive world championship title, Perez is locked in a battle with Charles Leclerc to secure second place in the drivers’ championship over the final three rounds of the season.
Despite Verstappen’s dominance this season, Perez heads to Mexico City knowing that he has the best opportunity any Mexican driver has ever had to win their home grand prix. While Verstappen has stated he has no intentions of moving over to allow his team mate to win in Mexico should the pair find themselves leading this weekend’s race – and why should he – there is one factor besides the enormous support he can expect which may give Perez a useful home advantage.
Last weekend, Perez took his fifth new engine of the 2022 season and served a five-place grid penalty after qualifying. Verstappen is already using his fifth power unit of the championship, having taken it before the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa where he won from 14th on the grid. With the risk that Verstappen may not be able to get to the end of the year with another power unit and the Mexican circuit having by far the longest straight and highest top speeds of the season, Red Bull may choose to give the champion a fresh power unit for the final three rounds.
If they do, that could give Perez a major head start and leave him with the responsibility of fighting with the Ferraris. At least, until Verstappen recovers through the field, as he has done so many times already this season…
An all-time record for Verstappen?
After the 2022 season began so competitively, it’s remarkable how Verstappen and Red Bull appeared to turn the championship around and deliver win after win over the final three quarters of the year. With both championships now safely secured, there are still…
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