Long straights should favor Mercedes power in Mexico. - 2015 Mexican Grand Prix Preview

In just a couple of days till the first practice session for the newly reinstated Mexican Grand Prix will be taking place. The last time Formula 1 visited the country was back in 1992 and it saw Nigel Mansell take victory. Now 2015 will see a similar layout used but not exactly the same. The track has been repaved and revamped with the notable changes being the removal of the classic "esses" and the removal of the last corner parabolica type "Peraltada" with the new circuit cutting through a baseball stadium and joining back on the circuit halfway through the old Peraltada.

The Red arrow points to the old Peraltada whilst the Orange markings represents Mexico's main straights.

The image above shows the main straights (Orange) on the new Mexican Grand Prix circuit. For me I think its the point of interest on the circuit this weekend. As the teams have never run on it we can't be 100% sure of who will be the strongest but it looks as though it's going to be a power hungry circuit. Teams such as Red Bull and McLaren should find trouble as teams will most likely close up on the main straight and then overtake on the second biggest straight that follows after Turns 1, 2 and 3. The teams the circuit should suit are Mercedes, Williams, Force India and Lotus. In other words, the Mercedes powered teams. Here is what to watch for this weekend:

Force India

Force India have been a team to watch for many races and Mexico won't change that. Firstly there main battle to contend with in the Constructors Championship is with Red Bull. It is highly unlikely that Force India can take 4th in the Constructors race but they will keep trying everything. Force India will also be hoping to have a strong showing here as there driver Sergio Perez is a proud Mexican. Checo has said he is aiming for a podium to really give his home fans something to cheer about this weekend. With his good run in the last few races I wouldn't doubt him. Nico Hulkenberg will also be hoping he can have a good result after retirement in the previous two races after being in a strong points scoring position.

Force India driver Sergio Perez will be hoping for a good result at his home race.

Turn 1

Turn 1 on lap 1 will be an interesting prospect this weekend as none of the drivers have gone through it before. Decisions on lines to take will be different and could truly bring some extra and unexpected shock exits on the first lap. The new turn 1 at Mexico is a tight 90 degree right hander that has not much room on the track, but plenty of asphalt run off around for the people who cannot make the corner.

The start will be critical in Mexico.

Anyone

Lets remember that no driver has raced a Formula 1 car around this circuit yet meaning that the teams are very inexperienced in terms of set up, they really have no clue and are coming into this weekend on the back foot. This can mean that if a team such as Williams can hit the set up bang on they could find themselves on the top step of the podium. So expect a few teams to be out of place this weekend.

Lastly Lewis Hamilton has now won the Drivers World Championship meaning that the race between Ferrari and Mercedes is relatively irrelevant. So take your eyes of the front of the field and set them on teams like Force India and Lotus who should provide some real thrills and spills this weekend.

Stay here for coverage and analysis over the weekend.
Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/greenflagf1
All images courtesy of Formula1.com