Williams: Mexico remains a new race

Williams Racing has fond memories of the Mexican Grand Prix since Valtteri Bottas took 3rd place last year behind the Mercedes by Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton. The Grove team will nevertheless have difficulty achieving such a feat due to the decline in performance of the British team this year.

“We always approach Mexico as a new event on the calendar because our learning last year was rapid but it was not successful, explained Pat Symonds, Williams' technical director. That said, we were able to place a car on the podium. »

“The main difficulty lies in the altitude which puts the Power Unit turbo and cooling systems to the test., added Pat Symonds. The altitude is not only difficult for the car, it is also difficult for the drivers and staff. The brakes are also particularly stressed. »

Valtteri Bottas will in any case be keen to shine again at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez after his podium last year.

“It was the best podium of my career, admitted the Finn, author of nine podiums with Williams. It was incredible to see so many people in the stadium for the first return of the Mexican Grand Prix since 1992. The place was packed. The race is very difficult due to the altitude. The speeds are high there and we have less downforce. It's more physical because we have less oxygen, but the circuit is very pleasant. »

Williams Racing is still battling Force India for 4th place in the Constructors' Championship, still trailing Vijay Mallya's team by eight points with three Grands Prix remaining at the end of the season.