Skip to main content

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Autosport Plus

Discover premium content
Subscribe

Recommended for you

McLaren to finally trial 'Macarena-style' rear wing in Hungarian GP practice

Formula 1
Belgian GP
McLaren to finally trial 'Macarena-style' rear wing in Hungarian GP practice

Palou still unstoppable as Nashville win edges him closer to fifth IndyCar title

Feature
IndyCar
Nashville
Palou still unstoppable as Nashville win edges him closer to fifth IndyCar title

F1 juniors shine in F2 2026 title fight

FIA F2
Spa-Francorchamps
F1 juniors shine in F2 2026 title fight

Is the 2026 WRC title fight the most unpredictable in a generation?

Feature
WRC
Rally Estonia
Is the 2026 WRC title fight the most unpredictable in a generation?

The key factor as Alonso weighs up F1 future

Formula 1
The key factor as Alonso weighs up F1 future

What Red Bull's succession plans for Lambiase and Marko reveal about team's F1 future

Formula 1
Belgian GP
What Red Bull's succession plans for Lambiase and Marko reveal about team's F1 future

Mercedes "struggling to understand" Russell's deployment issues in F1 2026

Formula 1
Belgian GP
Mercedes "struggling to understand" Russell's deployment issues in F1 2026

The expectation on Aston Martin's shoulders as it prepares to debut its Hungarian GP updates

Feature
Formula 1
Belgian GP
The expectation on Aston Martin's shoulders as it prepares to debut its Hungarian GP updates

Pirelli rules out Hamilton's request for special Mexican GP F1 tyre

Pirelli is "unlikely" to agree to Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton's request for a bespoke tyre for next year's Mexican Grand Prix

The Mexico City track had undergone significant renovation for F1's return after a 23-year absence last weekend.

A combination of the type of asphalt used, relatively cool temperatures and wet weather that washed away rubber laid down earlier in the weekend contributed to drivers struggling for grip.

After the race, Hamilton said: "I think they should make special tyres for this race because we need more grip."

Pirelli went for a conservative choice of the medium and soft for Mexico this year as it lacked data about the new track.

Though its motorsport director Paul Hembery conceded Pirelli would "probably" offer a softer tyre next year - when its compound range will increase with the introduction of an ultrasoft - but saw no need for any additional measures.

"It's always very hard when you come to a new circuit as you're never sure how the surface will react during first running and this literally was the first race on it," Hembery told Autosport.

"If you look back to Austin the first year, it was very smooth, similar to this.

"But Austin has been used heavily in the last few years and has changed dramatically.

"Sochi is very similar but it hasn't been used a lot so remained a very slippery surface.

"Probably next year you would have the super-soft in Mexico if you're going to have three anyway.

"But the chances of doing a special one are unlikely."

Race winner Nico Rosberg believes the track will naturally gain grip as the surface develops.

"It takes some time as the asphalt is new and it was one of the challenges we had," he said.

Williams driver Valtteri Bottas added: "Every lap it was improving, laptimes were getting quicker.

"Maybe next year we'll have some more grip, which would be nice."

Previous article F1 is poised to repeat its 1980s war
Next article Independent F1 engine 'crucial', says Red Bull Racing boss Horner

Top Comments

Latest news