Mexico Speed Trap: who is the fastest of them all?

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The Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez circuit is one of the fastest tracks on the calendar thanks to the venue's high altitude.

At 2,200m above sea level, the air is thinner and cars therefore have less resistance to deal with. Teams also tweak engine settings to ensure the delivery of peak performance despite the loss of power associated with the rarefied atmosphere.

Force India's Mercedes-powered VJM10 has been a regular contender for top speed this season, and yesterday in qualifying Esteban Ocon was fastest down the main straight at 355.6 km/h.

Given their dismal performance Saturday afternoon, Kevin Magnussen and Romain Grosjean's fifth and sixth top speed speaks volumes for their Haas' lousy balance around the corners in Mexico.

Fernando Alonso on the other hand boasted about his McLaren's handling qualities, insisting his MCL32 was the best car in the field.

Yet McLaren is the usual laggard when it comes to top speed, with Stoffel Vandoorne bringing up the rear, unequivocally suggesting that the team's 2018 Renault engine can't come soon enough!

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.