Jérémy’s Notebook

‍Acclaimed for its incredible atmosphere and wheel-to-wheel action, the Mexico City E-Prix is a highlight of the Season 8 calendar. Drawing on his own experiences from the past five editions of the event, 2021 Formula E Engineer of the Year and ROKiT Venturi Racing Chief Engineer, Jérémy Colançon, provides the inside line on the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez.

Altitude – The Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez is over 2,200 metres above sea level and this presents a unique challenge in terms of car setup. Because the air is thin, downforce is lower in comparison to other circuits which causes higher tyre temperatures due to increased stress, although reduced drag makes energy saving easier. Battery temperatures also rise, meaning that effective cooling also is essential.

Safety Cars – Unlike other Formula E circuits, the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez is a permanent racing facility which also host Formula 1. Because there are large runoff areas, there is a low chance of Safety Car and Full Course Yellow periods on race day which could impact strategy.

Attack Mode – The time loss upon Attack Mode activation is the smallest of the season at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez. This will change the style of racing in comparison to the Diriyah E-Prix and it will be possible to gain a lot of positions in the 250kW mode, particularly into Turns One, Three and Nine which are all potential overtaking opportunities.

Energy Usage – Mexico City is the most energy sensitive track on the Season 8 calendar, meaning that it is crucial to have an efficient powertrain package to perform well. Turns One and Nine are key areas to regenerate energy and the Foro Sol stadium section will also play a vital role strategically on race day.

Tyre Management – Despite having a smooth surface, tyre wear can be extremely high in Mexico City if it is not managed correctly. Because downforce is lower, more stress is put through the tyres and given the track’s configuration, degradation can be high on the left side. It will be important to manage this throughout practice, qualifying and the race.