Mexico GP - Data Analysis — The Right Turn F1

There is not a better way to close this intense week than taking a look to the Mexican GP summary!

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After the best FP3 for the Mercedes drivers, the qualifying was more open than ever!

Track Evolution

Qualifying Prediction

Before the Qualifying, we predicted the cutoff times for both Q1 and Q2.
It must be admitted that not having the FP2 information due to Pirelli tyre test gets the prediction more inaccurate.
- Q1: 1:20.293 (-0.692s)
- Q1: 1:19.272 (-0.258s)
However, it is always important to obtain a lower value that the reality to stay in the safe zone of the cutoff.

Qualifying Results

Ideal Lap

VER with the record of S1 and S3 he only struggled in S2 due to the less downforce.
A more "relaxed" S2 allows VER to extract all the potential in the last sector.
Both MER extracted the maximum. Only +0.003 between them in the best ideal lap!
Even though the MER drivers achieved their best lap, they would have stayed behind the Verstappen.
Ferrari lost his best performance on one lap, only capable to achieve a P5 and P7.

Top Speed

As expected, the Red Bulls and the Williams on top of the speed traps.
After testing different configurations (Low/High downforce) the HAAS opted for a less downforce setup
LEC and ALO along the AMR the slowest in straight line.
Apparently, LEC had an issue with his power unit as he states in this post qualifying interview.
Due to the low density due to the height of the Mexico City, the gaps in top speed are smaller than usual since the track is reduced.

Telemetry Analysis: VER vs. RUS

Amazing first sector for VER given the high top speed of the Red Bull!
RUS get some time in the high speed thanks to the higher downforce setup
VER performs better in the last part of the low speed section with a better corner exit to achieve the pole position!

Telemetry Analysis: SAI vs. LEC

As LEC stated after the qualifying, it seems he had an engine problem during his best Q3 run.
He was complying about engine drivability and top speed, which it seems it was real.
The EoS top speed compared with SAI is quite large to be in the same car.
The top speed before the T4 is not characteristic since it seems that SAI had a better corner exit by sacrificing the entry. However, this part is where SAI gains more advantage.
The real problem arises at T12, where his speed was greater at the beginning of the straight and he loses speed compared to his team mate.
The problem was sorted before the race.

Telemetry Analysis: RUS vs. HAM

HAM lost the P2 in the last part of the track
A compromise between corner entry and exit has to be done: HAM late on the brakes in T1, different strategies for the same car!

Weather Evolution

Race Results

VER won with +15s after a great last stint with the medium tyres.
HAM and MER try it, but the strategy did not work this time for them.
PER overtook RUS to complete the podium.
Bad race start for RUS who was pushed by HAM at exit of T3.
Both FER completely disappeared, farther than ever.
Two different faces of a coin from RIC respect to the USGP, P7 with 10s penalty!
BOT did not take advantage of the good starting position with the strategy.

Lap Chart - Drivers Evolution

TSU was the first DNF of the race after the collision with RIC at T7. The latter received 10s penalty for the incident.
ALO suffered engine problems that forced him to leave the car at the end of the end straight. He was having a solid pace to pick up some good points in a weekend that ALP was quite off paced.
Intense battle in the midfield!

Accumulated Delta Plot

Max and Lewis imposed their own pace (1:22.5) to get to the pit window in the range for undercutting/overcutting.
HAM could match the VER pace due to tyre management. Same with PER vs. RUS.
PER throw an attack to HAM from the distance to undercut him.
HAM went long until he was in danger due to PER pace. RUS went longer to have a shorter second stint.
HAM could not match the VER pace and have to manage tyres to keep PER behind him.
SAI kept the P5 through all the race. LEC struggling to keep his pace.
RUS had a free pit stop at the end of the race thanks to the pace difference.
ALO kept the pack behind him during the first stint! He left BOT behind at the end of it.
ALO engine started when he was in a comfortable P7.
RIC went insanely long (44 laps) with the MEDIUM and put the new SOFT to climb up to P7!
STR had an early stop because he was struggling with the MEDIUM.

Race Pace per Tyre

Hard Tyre

Medium Tyre

Soft Tyre

Tyre Strategy

The estimated strategy was somewhere between 1 and 2 stops.
Both RB did a good and tyre saving first stint to put the MEDIUM in the second stint to the finish line.
The MER were expecting a little greater degradation. This was their only change to win the race!
All the medium starters had to go for MEDIUM-HARD
All the SOFT starters did only 1 stop (SOFT-MED) except for LAT, all thanks to the low degradation (lower temps)
As a conclusion:
- 1 stop S-M was the best choice due to low degradation
- 1 stop M-H would have been the best strategy with greater degradation.
- 2 stops S-M-S or M-S-S could have also worked with greater degradation.

And that's all for today!

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