Sergey Sirotkin is preparing for his first venture to the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez this weekend expecting another challenging weekend for the Williams Martini Racing outfit.
The SMP Racing-backed Russian has scored only one point so far this season, which came as a result of a tenth-place finish in the Italian Grand Prix at the beginning of September, although even that point is under threat due to the appeal by the Haas F1 Team over Romain Grosjean’s exclusion from sixth place, which will be held just after the race in Mexico City on 1 November.
Sirotkin says the Mexican track reminds him of the Sochi Autodrom, the venue of the Russian Grand Prix, although he expects the track to be a very different challenge due to its high altitude and low drag, which will ensure some of the highest straight-line speeds likely to be seen all season in Formula 1.
“Mexico is a track which reminds me of Sochi,” said Sirotkin, who is now three points behind Brendon Hartley in the Drivers’ Championship after the New Zealander’s ninth place finish last weekend at the Circuit of the Americas. “Due to the high location up in the mountains, the track produces a lot less drag and downforce, which causes the cars to behave quite differently.
“There is a big effect on the tyres, due to the long straight with low drag and one of the highest stopping speeds of the season. It is a challenging track for both the drivers and for the teams.”