Lewis Hamilton Secures 'Best' Starting Position for Mexico City GP

Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton is poised for an advantageous start at the Mexico City Grand Prix, with former F1 champion Jacques Villeneuve asserting that third on the grid is the "best" position at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez. This high-altitude circuit is notorious for its exceptionally long run to Turn 1, often negating the pole sitter's advantage.

Why it matters:

• The Mexico City Grand Prix has a unique starting dynamic due to its long run to Turn 1, where pole position often turns into a disadvantage.
• A strong start from P3 could give Hamilton a crucial edge, especially as he seeks his first podium finish with Ferrari, breaking a long-standing team record for podium-less starts.
• Historically, the pole sitter has only won two of the last seven Mexican Grands Prix, reinforcing the idea that starting further back can be beneficial here.

The Details:

• Strategic Starting Grid: Jacques Villeneuve, the 1997 F1 champion, claims that starting from third position offers a significant advantage over pole and second at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez.
• Long Run to Turn 1: The circuit boasts the longest run down to the first corner on the F1 calendar. This distance, combined with the high altitude, makes it difficult for the pole sitter to maintain their lead.
• Historical Disadvantage for Pole: In three of the last four seasons, the driver starting from pole has failed to hold the lead into Turn 1. Over the last seven Mexican Grands Prix, pole sitters have only converted their starting position into a victory twice.
• Driver Perspectives: While some drivers, like George Russell, still prefer pole position, Hamilton explicitly called P3 the "perfect spot" in his post-qualifying interview.
• Villeneuve's Rationale: Villeneuve elaborated, stating that "pole is the worst here," and P2 is often on the "dirty" side of the track, leading to poor starts. He believes P3 benefits from the tow created by the cars ahead.
• Hamilton's Quest for a Podium: Hamilton is looking to secure his first podium finish with Ferrari. He has already set an unwanted team record for the longest podium-less start to a Ferrari tenure, surpassing Didier Pironi's 1982 mark of 18 rounds.
• Turn 1 "Hero" Warning: Villeneuve also highlighted the annual risk of a "hero" driver from the middle of the grid attempting to make up numerous positions in the chaotic first corner, leading to potential incidents.

What's next:

With Hamilton starting from what is widely considered a strategic sweet spot, all eyes will be on the critical run down to Turn 1. His ability to capitalize on the tow and avoid any first-lap chaos will be key to his chances of securing that elusive first podium with Ferrari.