Russell does not expect Mercedes to have everything their own way at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, where the Mexico City Grand Prix is held on Sunday, November 1. Speaking at the race weekend, in comments reported by Crash.net, the Briton pointed at Ferrari’s power unit layout as the single biggest variable going into qualifying and the race.
“There’s obviously no secret, the likes of Ferrari have a smaller turbo than most, so they probably have quite an advantage in this regard,” Russell told Crash.net.
He added that turbo lag will shape the weekend for several teams.
The track sits at more than 2,200 meters above sea level, where thinner air hurts both aerodynamic downforce and the amount of oxygen a turbocharger can push through the engine. A smaller turbo spins up more quickly and copes better with the altitude, which is why the design choice carries outsized consequences at this one race.
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Antonelli needs only ninth
Antonelli can wrap up the drivers’ title on Sunday without visiting the podium. The Italian leads Russell by 123 points and Lewis Hamilton by 124 going into round 19 of 23, with 125 still on the table across the final five rounds.
The scenarios are tight but clear. If any driver other than Russell or Hamilton wins, Antonelli is champion regardless of where he finishes. If Russell wins, Antonelli needs ninth or better. If Hamilton wins, he needs tenth or better.
That is the backdrop against which Russell’s Ferrari warning lands. A Ferrari one-two would not deny Antonelli the title on its own, but any afternoon that leaves both Mercedes drivers scrapping outside the top five raises the stakes for the final stretch of the season.
Leclerc plays down favorite talk
Charles Leclerc, Hamilton’s Ferrari teammate, has pushed back on the idea the team arrives in Mexico as the pre-weekend favorite despite recent results.
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“Whether we are the favourites this weekend, I don’t fully agree, I think Mercedes remain the favourites wherever we go,” Leclerc told Crash.net.
Hamilton has argued through the season that Ferrari gives away too much on the straights to compete at every circuit. Mexico’s altitude flattens that argument: top speeds drop for everyone, and the premium shifts toward engine driveability and turbo response, the area Russell has flagged as Ferrari’s strength.
Mercedes lead the constructors’ championship by 133 points over Ferrari going into the weekend, with Red Bull third and McLaren fourth, level on 355 points.
Lights out at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez is at 2pm local time on Sunday, November 1.
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