As a magnet, the Autodromo in Mexico City began to attract from the morning of Friday, November 5, fans who witnessed the first two practices of the Grand Prix of Mexico City 2021. Not only were they practical for the pilots, it was also an experience of adjustments for the organizers and questions for the fans who entered the venue, and a contingent that will receive reimbursement.
Officially, 97,829 people gathered, including some who entered the northern Coffee Zone commented to this newspaper that they did not take their temperature or check their F1 Fast Pass. Through the social networks of the event, it was announced that they were going to take their places in Tier 2-A of the Orange Zone, because the stands did not comply with the Civil Protection measures that guarantee the safety of the attendees. They were offered two compensation schemes: for people who attended on Friday and for those who have tickets in sections 101 and 102.
“Despite the efforts made, sections 101 and 102 of Tier 2-A will NOT be enabled, so the total value of the ticket will be fully reimbursed.”
Around 7:00 pm on Friday, the organizers continued with the call: “sections 101 and 102 of tier 2A, stay tuned for the information that we will give early tomorrow morning.”
Meanwhile, the organization made it clear that it will enable 80% of the stands for Saturday and Sunday, this means that people with tickets in sections 103 to 110 will be able to enter.
“Why didn’t anyone check the stands before selling the venues, say a year ago, a month or last weekend, that would have been very good for the spectators who would buy the venues. Keep working, “commented a fan on the @mexicogp account.
The Grand Prix in Mexico has received the Formula 1 award for the best race of the season for five consecutive years.
First day of practice
Reigning champion Lewis Hamilton put it into words: “The aim is to try and fight these guys (from Red Bull), but they are definitely too fast for us at the moment,” the Mercedes driver said after practice.
Red Bull is supported by the local engine. Max Verstappen set the best time and Sergio Pérez finished fourth in the second practice of the day. Max Verstappen found the rhythm in Free Practice 2 and led Red Bull to the top of the timesheets by closing the session in first place, with a time of 1: 17.301 minutes, on his best lap at the Autodromo.
The Drivers’ Championship leader set the best time since his first laps of the 4,304-kilometer long track and then set a new lap record. The Dutchman left behind the 1: 18.341 imposed in Practice 1 by Valtteri Bottas, who held the previous record, set in 2018, with 1: 18.741 minutes.
In second place in Test 2 was Valtteri Bottas, who was placed as the greatest threat to Max, aboard the second Mercedes-AMG, by ticking 1: 17.725 minutes.
In third place was the seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, with a best time of 1: 17.810 minutes; to send Mexican Sergio Pérez to the fourth rung, who was the last of the pilots within 78 seconds, at 1: 17.871 minutes.
In the first laps of the session, and with the track still dirty for two years of not holding competitions, the cars of Charles Leclerc and local Sergio Pérez skidded at the exit of the Foro Sol.
“We lost a bit of time with the accident. The track improved a lot, so it didn’t affect us as much. I think it’s generally a positive day, I feel more comfortable with the car in the race than in qualifying, but I think there is potential to improve. the rhythm to one lap and tomorrow to try to improve, have an excellent qualification, “said Pérez, who is fourth in the drivers’ championship.
The list of the 10 best drivers was completed: Carlos Sainz, from Ferrari; Pierre Gasly, from AlphaTauri; Charles Leclerc, Ferrari; Yuki Tsunoda, AlphaTauri; Sebastian Vettel, Aston Martin; and Fernando Alonso, Alpine.
On Saturday’s agenda, Free Practice 3 will be held (at 11:00 am), followed by qualifying at (2:00 pm), where the 20 drivers will fight for pole position and the Juan Helmet Trophy. Manuel Fangio, as a tribute to the first Formula 1 title won by the Argentine, 70 years ago.
Compensation scheme
Fans who attended on Friday, November 5 will be given the amount of 500 pesos in cash (the equivalent of a third of the total cost of the ticket, which is 1,500 pesos), in addition to 500 pesos in cashless card for food consumption and drinks.
Fans of sections 101 and 102 will be fully reimbursed for the cost of the ticket as of Tuesday, November 9 through the purchase channel through which the tickets were acquired in compliance with the policies of the Ticketmaster system.
