How Lewis Hamilton plans to upset Max Verstappen in Mexico

Hamilton in Mexico — Photo: © LAT Images

Mexico City Grand Prix

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How Hamilton plans to upset Verstappen in Mexico

Hamilton has conceded the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez is a "Red Bull track"

Sam Hall

Friday 5 November 2021 16:15 Updated: 16:19

Lewis Hamilton has vowed to push everything "absolutely to the limit" and 'leave no stone unturned' in Mexico.

The Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez is widely regarded as a track that favours Red Bull with the team enjoying success on a number of occasions since it rejoined the Formula 1 calendar in 2015.

Despite taking victory himself on the sport's last visit to Mexico, ending a two-race streak for Max Verstappen, Hamilton conceded Mercedes faces an uphill battle.

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“Last time they were quite a bit quicker than us so yeah, you would have to say this is a Red Bull track although we have had success here in the past," said Hamilton.

“Obviously, we did win here last time but that was only because Max made a mistake and got a penalty.

“Otherwise, they were much quicker than us so we expect that will be very similar this weekend.”

Hamilton to push Mercedes to the 'absolute limit'

The advantage in both the drivers' and constructors' championship battles has swayed from race to race this year.

With a 12 point deficit to Verstappen and consecutive races that are expected to favour Red Bull, Hamilton vowed to leave "no stone unturned" in the fight.

"They generally have, I think, a little bit of extra performance at the rear of their car," explained Hamilton.

"It seems that in the hotter places they are doing a little bit better than us and this has just been a track that they have been very, very strong at like Budapest for example.

“But it doesn’t mean that we can’t be strong this weekend. We will find out when we get out there.

“But of course, it means that we have to extract absolutely everything and push absolutely to the limit, leaving no stone unturned, leaving no performance on the table which can happen.

“So we will try to make sure we cover every area possible.”

Through Hamilton's commitment to pushing his Mercedes to the 'absolute limit', questions have been raised once again over the reliability of the manufacturer's power units.

Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko believes Hamilton will need to face further penalties for taking a fifth engine before the season is through, but the seven-time championship claimed this is not the case.

He added: “I believe our engines are strong and as far as I am aware we are hopefully going to the end. So that is not going to be an issue for us hopefully.”