Russell issues Mexico temperature warning as podium targeted
Russell issues Mexico temperature warning as podium targeted
George Russell is confident of ending his podium drought in the Mexico City Grand Prix although has warned of a potential heat management problem for Mercedes.
The Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez is the highest altitude circuit on F1's calendar, sitting 7,200 feet above sea level.
Given the thin air, it means teams run their highest downforce wings yet feel a benefit similar only to the narrowest of set-ups used at Monza.
It also makes the cooling of brakes and engines difficult, with Russell conceding the Pirelli tyre test in FP2 on Friday eliminated the opportunity to bank vital long-run data on how to manage these issues.
"The car is working well at the moment and we've got a good feel around here," said Russell.
READ: Alonso condemns "deplorable" abuse of FIA steward
"The pace is looking relatively strong but we know the challenges at a circuit like this.
"I think Sunday is going to be really difficult with the temperature management for the engine, for the brakes. Qualifying, getting the tyres into the window for a single lap is also going to be difficult."
Podium in sight after 'best Friday' - Russell
Russell topped the second practice session but as one of five drivers to make way for a rookie in FP1, he completed limited running on the current tyres before switching to the test specification.
The Briton, however, feels a podium is on the cards after a run of three races without a top-three finish.
"I'd like to think it's definitely podium possible, at least," said Russell. "It's probably one of, if not our best Fridays of the year.
"Between the two of us [Russell and Lewis Hamilton] we've got 14 podiums, so that's absolutely what we'll be going for.
"But not having the normal FP2 running where you get to understand the long run, the consecutive laps of your rivals, it's going to be difficult to know.
"We can soon get into a lot of trouble if the temperatures are a bit hotter or a bit cooler and we find ourselves having to manage everything on Sunday.
"It's not going to be a straightforward Saturday and Sunday, that is for sure."
Related
Change your timezone:
Latest News
Chinese Grand Prix Sprint 2024 results: Hamilton gets best result of year as Ferraris CLASH
- 2 hours ago
F1 News Today: FIA investigate F1 star as Ferraris clash at Chinese GP
- 58 minutes ago
F1 Chinese Grand Prix weather forecast - latest today from Shanghai
- 2 hours ago
Hamilton dealt China blow after major FIA decision as Ricciardo given huge Horner warning - GPFans F1 Recap
- Yesterday 23:57
F1 team unveil star-studded lineup in China
- Yesterday 23:12
F1 Qualifying Today: Chinese Grand Prix 2024 start times, schedule and TV
- Yesterday 22:27
Related news
F1 Drivers' Standings 2023 after the Mexican Grand Prix
F1 Driver of the Day - Brilliant drive earns Brit back-to-back awards
Violence erupts in Mexico as F1 fans start fighting in the stands
F1 fans in VISCERAL reaction to Perez Mexico nightmare
F1 Standings
Drivers
- Oliver Bearman
- Charles Leclerc
- Carlos Sainz
- Lando Norris
- Oscar Piastri
- Pierre Gasly
- Esteban Ocon
- Sergio Pérez
- Max Verstappen
- Alexander Albon
- Logan Sargeant
- Lewis Hamilton
- George Russell
- Nico Hülkenberg
- Kevin Magnussen
- Fernando Alonso
- Lance Stroll
- Valtteri Bottas
- Zhou Guanyu
- Daniel Ricciardo
- Yuki Tsunoda
Races
- Gulf Air Grand Prix of Bahrain 2024
- Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Australia 2024
- MSC Cruises Grand Prix of Japan 2024
- Grand Prix of China 2024
- Miami Grand Prix 2024
- Gran Premio dell'Emilia Romagna 2024
- Grand Prix of Monaco 2024
- Grand Prix du Canada 2024
- Gran Premio de España 2024
- Grand Prix of Austria 2024
- Grand Prix of Great Britain 2024
- Grand Prix of Hungary 2024
- Grand Prix of Belgium 2024
- Heineken Dutch Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Italy 2024
- Grand Prix of Azerbaijan 2024
- Grand Prix of Singapore 2024
- Grand Prix of the United States 2024
- Gran Premio de la Ciudad de Mexico 2024
- Grande Prêmio de São Paulo 2024
- Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix 2024
- Qatar Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi 2024
About GPFans
GPFans is a multi-platform, multi-language brand dedicated to Formula One coverage. We bring you all the ins and outs of the sport, 24/7, everything from up-to-the-minute news and features to the latest viral stories and clips.We believe that a new generation of exciting, outspoken drivers will make F1 more popular than ever before, and we want to give our users access to as much of their heroes as possible, on and off the track. From Lewis Hamilton to Max Verstappen, Daniel Ricciardo to Sebastian Vettel, we provide in-depth analysis of every every Grand Prix in the season, from Australia to Abu Dhabi.
With Formula One under the new ownership of Liberty Media, how the sport is being covered is evolving, and GPFans will look to be at the heart of this progression into new media, as one of the fastest-growing sites covering the king of motorsports.
Follow us on your favorite social media channel
Corporate & Media
Innovatieweg 20C7007 CD, Doetinchem, Netherlands
+31645516860