The twentieth round of the Formula 1 season is the Mexico City GP, where last season a total of 400,639 spectators attended, including 152,668 on race day alone.
To provide a better experience for spectators, the grandstand known as “Estadio GNP” has undergone a complete renovation.
The track layout, however, has remained unchanged since the circuit returned to the calendar.
The GP data
According to Brembo technicians, the 4,304-meter Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez is classified as a highly demanding circuit for the braking system.
On a scale from 1 to 5, the track has a difficulty index of 4, as the low air density caused by the circuit’s record altitude reduces the cooling efficiency of discs, pads, and calipers.
Drivers use the brakes in 9 of the 17 corners, relying on the system for all corners from 4 to 7.
Among these, three braking zones are classified as Hard and two as Medium.
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The toughest corner
The most demanding corner for the braking system at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez is Turn 1: the F1 cars approach at 342 km/h and slow down to 112 km/h in 2.68 seconds, covering 141 meters.
During this braking, drivers experience a deceleration of 4.1 g and must apply a 126 kg force on the brake pedal.
The braking power generated reaches 2,209 kW.
The “Anti-Drag” System
In Formula 1 cars, every component must be optimized to avoid behaviors that reduce overall performance.
Attention is usually focused on wings and the chassis, but other components can also negatively affect performance.
A significant example involves traditional brake calipers, which can cause drag even when the brakes are not being applied.
Brembo addressed this issue with the development of the “anti-drag” system: a mechanism consisting of a pin operated by a torsion spring that reduces residual torque, preventing unwanted contact between the disc and pads when the brakes are not in use.
When the driver releases the pedal, eliminating system pressure, the spring immediately returns the pads to a non-contact position, ensuring maximum efficiency under all conditions.
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In 1986, Formula 1 returned to Mexico after a sixteen-year absence: Nigel Mansell led the championship with a 10-point advantage over Nelson Piquet and 11 over Alain Prost, while Williams had already secured the Constructors’ title.
Benetton, on the other hand, was in sixth place with just 10 points. Yet it was Gerhard Berger in the Benetton who won the Mexico GP, achieving victory without a single pit stop.
It was a double first: both the team and the driver celebrated their maiden win.
The Mexico City race became an iconic moment, a major success made possible in part by the reliability of Brembo brakes.
The Eighth Mexican
In the first practice session of the Mexico City GP, Pato O’Ward will take part, driving a McLaren. The homegrown driver competes in IndyCar, where he has achieved 7 victories and numerous notable finishes: 3rd in 2021, 4th in 2020 and 2023, 5th this year, and 7th in 2022.
Pato becomes the 8th Mexican to drive in Formula 1, although not all have officially participated in a Grand Prix, as Alfonso Celis only took part in practice sessions and tests with Force India.