Located in the heart of the capital, the 2.09km, 18-turn circuit Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez incorporates part of the historic grand prix circuit, with long curved sections between fast chicanes that offer few opportunities for the drivers to draw breath between corners.
“The track presents an additional challenge for the whole team as the race takes place at altitude. This has no effect on the performance of the Jaguar I-TYPE but it does make everything just that bit harder physically for the team”, explained Team Director James Barclay.
He is sure that “the toughest job will certainly be in the cockpit. We estimate that between using the pedals, making gear changes, adjustments on the steering wheel and communicating with the engineers, the drivers will be required to perform up to 40 actions per lap while racing on what is a very short circuit.”
Turns eight to 12 form the famous part of the circuit – the amphitheatre, where good overtaking opportunities excite a crowd of up to 28,000 spectators. “The circuit has been fun to drive in the simulator but there is no substitute for getting out on track. Unlike many of the drivers, I haven’t raced there before”, Mitch Evans pointed out.
But every ePrix helps the 22-year-old to work closer together with his engineers and mechanics: “With each race, the whole process becomes smoother and more streamlined. I’m really enjoying the feeling in the garage. We are progressing through our programme as planned.”
Unlike Evans, team-mate Adam Carroll is an experienced Mexico driver. “I first raced in Mexico ten years ago in my rookie A1GP season and it was very special to be a race winner there. I raced on the full circuit last year in WEC, too. I’m looking forward to the new challenge of this shortened, intense Formula E circuit, which offers fewer opportunities to rest between corners. This is going to be an intense race but I can’t wait to get going”, said Carroll.
For the 34-year-old there is hardly anything comparable to racing on the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez. “When you enter the stadium section, packed with cheering fans, with your adrenaline pumping and racing wheel-to-wheel with some of the best drivers in the world – there’s nothing quite like it”, concluded Carroll.
