Cooling demands top F1 teams’ updates at Mexican GP

The unique challenges posed by Mexico City and the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez have prompted the majority of updates for this weekend’s round of racing at the venue.

Sitting at an altitude of over 2,200 meters above sea level, Mexico City's high elevation results in thin air, leading to reduced heat dissipation for components like power units, which already work harder in the low-density atmosphere, as well as brakes.

Consequently, most teams have directed their efforts towards enhancing cooling solutions for this weekend's race. Red Bull Racing, Ferrari, Alpine, McLaren, Haas, and Williams have all introduced modifications, including revised cooling louvers and brake ducts, to tackle the unique conditions in Mexico.

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Red Bull’s dominant RB19, to achieve sufficient cooling in the lower atmospheric pressure conditions, features enlarged forward louvres on the right side of the car.

Ferrari has also undertaken changes to extend the top end of its engine cooling capacity by adding on its SF-23 cockpit louvres and cooling exit gurneys.

Over at McLaren, team papaya’s MCL60 features a revised engine cover geometry that allows for increased massflow through the radiators in phase with this weekend’s ambient conditions. Furthermore, to augment brake cooling, a circuit specific larger Front Brake Scoop has been designed.

Alpine has added deeper mid louvres on its A523 to provide higher maximum cooling levels. The team used this update in Qatar FP1 as attest item for this weekend’s race. Also, Alpine’s car features a bigger coke panel exit at the rear of the A523 to optimize cooling.

Haas has implemented cooling-related changes to the louvres and engine covers of its updated VF-23. Like McLaren, the US outfit has also revised the front brake duct scoop for better cooling.

AlphaTauri has also brought circuit-specific front brake ducts and a larger engine cover exit, which increases mass flow through the central radiator cores.

Williams’ FW45 also sports a new engine cover – "to better cool the PU and gearbox fluids" – and altered louvres, although the team says that it will only be used if required.

Alfa Romeo are the only team to bring a general performance enhancing update to Mexico, with the Swiss team debuting revised rear brake ducts to work in conjunction with the floor introduced in Austin. The new parts are designed to improve the aerodynamic efficiency of the car and generate downforce.

There are no changes to the cars at Mercedes or Aston Martin.

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