Ferrari seeking 'unique approach' to combat added F1 'stress'

Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur feels the Mexico City Grand Prix will require "unique" solutions to the "additional stress" the altitude of the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez imposes on F1 cars.

The Frenchman, buoyed by his team's success at the United States Grand Prix, will search for alternative approaches to car set up, as is often customary when F1 heads to Mexico.

The Italian squad will be looking to score consecutive victories for the first time since the British and Austrian Grand Prix in 2022.

The result last time out means the Scuderia heads to Mexico just eight points behind Red Bull in the constructors' championship - and only a further 40 adrift of leaders McLaren.

With five rounds to go, Ferrari needs to follow-up with another strong result. Vasseur believes the trip to the Circuit of the Americas may have provided the lift the team needs, even if striking the right compromise will not be straightforward in Mexico.

"We come to Mexico on a high after the one-two in Austin, which was a great motivational boost for the entire team," the 56-year-old reflected.

"The Hermanos Rodriguez circuit presents a completely different challenge. The fact that Mexico City sits at 2200 metres above sea level requires a completely unique approach when it comes to setting up the car.

"The rarified air also places additional stress on components of the car that need to disperse heat, meaning the systems, brakes, power unit and of course the tyres too.

"Finding the right balance to deal with this while getting the maximum performance out of the car is not an easy task, but we have prepared well for it back in the factory."

Similarly to the United States Grand Prix, Ferrari will be attempting to not get drawn into the fight between McLaren and Red Bull.

At COTA, Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz kept their noses clean whilst Max Verstappen and Lando Norris battled into the first corner.

It proved pivotal, with the two drivers positioning themselves in in first and third, respectively, despite occupying the second row at the start.

It lay the foundations for what turned into the winning strategy and Vasseur anticipates another close affair in Mexico this weekend.

"Our approach to this race will be the same as any other, focussing on ourselves and paying attention to the details," he said.

"As usual, I expect it to all be very close between the top teams and come the end of the weekend, we will see where we stand."