At 2285m above sea stage, the rarefied air creates a major problem in respect of automobile aerodynamics, cooling necessities and the efficiency envelope of the ability unit.
All of this results in groups operating what may in any other case be thought of odd decisions, given it is such a high-speed venue.
Mercedes experimented with its wing ranges on Friday, not solely as a way to hone in on the efficiency ranges of the automobile at this venue but in addition for gathering significant knowledge for subsequent yr’s automobile too.
Evaluating the 2 entrance wings put into service throughout free observe outings, Lewis Hamilton’s automobile was fitted with the older specification model, with the trailing fringe of the higher flap in the reduction of fairly considerably (left picture, beneath).
In the meantime, George Russell’s W13 was fitted with the brand new wing design, which encompasses a revised design to the outer part of the flaps and a extra contoured endplate to assist generate outwash.
Nevertheless, the workforce did decide to take away the controversial slot hole separator brackets that first appeared at the USA Grand Prix however stay unraced.
You may additionally notice that chequerboard stickers have been adhered to the entrance wing endplate on Hamilton’s automobile, with a digicam used to seize footage of the wing while it is out on observe so that the workforce can confirm it is performing as anticipated.
It was the same story on the rear of the automobile too, as each drivers flirted with totally different preparations.
George Russell carried a Gurney flap mounted on the trailing fringe of the rear wing, while Hamilton, matching the cut-down method taken with the entrance wing, was operating the wing with out one on his.
Following the exams carried out by Hamilton on Friday, each drivers opted for the newer entrance wing specification with a extra loaded flap association, plus the Gurney on the trailing fringe of the rear wing’s higher flap for qualifying and the race.
In the meantime, the utmost cooling choice was taken up on each automobiles, with the panels beside the cockpit and the engine cowl gills each opened up with a view to reject the warmth being generated.
Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes W13
Photograph by: Steven Tee / Motorsport Photos
Crimson Bull additionally opted for extra cooling to fulfill the calls for being posed, because the RB18 ran with the louvred cooling panels on the shoulder of the engine cowl and a brand new, wider, cooling exit on the rear that additionally flared on the trailing edge to assist with extraction.
McLaren determined to take cooling in Mexico fairly significantly, as a number of new choices appeared with a view to take care of the calls for posed by the circuit and altitude.
A extra expansive louvred cooling panel may very well be discovered traversing the MCL36’s sidepod and engine cowl, with two retailers additionally added to its cooling suite on the engine cowl’s backbone (one among these is mounted above the ability unit saddle coolers and the opposite is simply aft of the shark fin (purple arrows)).
The workforce additionally had the choice of incorporating a Gurney flap on the trailing fringe of the primary engine cowl outlet, with a view to assist with extraction.
To extend native load on the rear of the automobile, McLaren had additionally made modifications to its rear brake duct aero, including some winglets to the stack already current on the rearward-facing outlet scoop.
Alpine additionally deployed its most cooling configuration, because the A522 was fitted with the open louvred sidepod bodywork and the enlarged engine cowl outlet panel that was final seen in Hungary however not raced.
Alpine F1 A522 cooling element
Photograph by: Giorgio Piola
Alpha Tauri invested in revisions to assist with its temperature points in Mexico too, because the AT03’s entrance brakes featured an enlarged rear outlet scoop, leading to a rise in mass move by the meeting.
The cooling gill panel on the facet of the engine cowl was additionally revised, with the variety of louvres lowered, however their spacing elevated, as they nonetheless crammed the identical accessible area inside the panel.
Alpha Tauri AT03 cooling panel comparability
In the meantime, on the rear of the automobile, the engine cowl’s bodywork was expanded. This not solely elevated the dimensions of the rear cooling outlet but in addition resulted in a bigger rear deck upon which the air flowed to the rear of the automobile.
Alfa Romeo has been proactive within the closing phases of the season because it not solely appears to be like to fend off the problem posed by Aston Martin but in addition spend money on designs that can carry throughout to its 2023 challenger.
And, while not a brand new characteristic, having been used at different excessive downforce venues, the bigger rear wing endplate tip cutout utilized in Mexico is a characteristic worthy of our consideration, owing to its impression on the resultant tip vortex being generated.
Alfa Romeo C42 rear wing cutout comparability
Photograph by: Giorgio Piola
In contrast with the medium downforce wing’s cutout (inset), there is a clear distinction in method with its excessive downforce association, because the flap is undercut (purple arrow).
That is the results of the workforce on the lookout for a greater trade-off between the downforce and drag being generated, given it’s making an attempt to keep up as a lot wingspan as doable.
The workforce has additionally made modifications to the ahead part of the ground over the course of the final two races, because it appears to be like to extend the downforce being generated and its working vary.
This contains modifications to the outermost flooring fence and the purpose at which it connects with the facet of the chassis.