Focus on ... Mercedes reliability
With both its drivers still in the running for the title, Mercedes is becoming increasingly concerned about reliability. The problems that affected Lewis Hamilton earlier in the season cannot be undone, but with three grands prix remaining the team is determined that a car failure does not decide the drivers' title in the final races. Of all the remaining races, Mexico is arguably the most difficult from a reliability perspective, with the thinner air at 2,250 metres creating a number of potential reliability and set-up issues.
"From a technical point of view, the key feature of this race is the high altitude at which Mexico City is situated - giving it an atmospheric pressure of less than 80% of normal levels," Mercedes technical boss Paddy Lowe explains. "This brings with it a reduction of aerodynamic forces, both downforce and drag, while the turbocharged Hybrid Power Unit is still able to deliver its normal level of power.
"The knock-on effect is that this circuit is tough on tyres, as grip levels are very low, and tough on brakes thanks to high speeds combined with low levels of cooling and drag. So, there are a lot of things to manage through the weekend simply to keep both cars healthy.
"At the same time, it's tricky for the drivers, as they are essentially running downforce levels equivalent to Monza at a circuit with significantly more twists and turns. That creates some headaches for them behind the wheel but also the potential for some great racing."
Although the turbocharged V6 engines are able to produce the same amount of power at the higher altitude, the turbo has to spin faster than usual to achieve that output and cooling can become marginal.
"One area you have to pay particular attention to on the power unit side is the cooling as the less dense air is not only less effective for combustion, it's also not as strong on the cooling side too," Renault technical director Bob Bell explains. "You maintain the same level of power, so you have to dissipate all the energy. With less effective air going through the ducts there was certainly a question mark last year. If it's a particularly high ambient temperature we will need to monitor the situation closely as we'll likely be at a very high operating temperature."
In short, everything should be fine, but there is a chance that teams can push the cars too far in the pursuit of performance. No pressure, then.
In need of a podium
A podium is all Nico Rosberg needs to keep his title campaign on track. He can afford two second place finishes and one third place at the remaining three races and still come out on top in Abu Dhabi. He claims he is going for wins at each round, but no one would blame him if he started taking fewer risks and settled for second place this weekend.
In need of points
Romain Grosjean proved the Haas is still capable of picking up points this year and that should be all the incentive Esteban Gutierrez needs to score his first points of the season. His future at Haas is still up in the air, but a solid finish in the points would make the decision that bit easier for team bosses Guenther Steiner and Gene Haas. If he gets those points in front of his home crowd in Mexico, it will be all the more special.
ESPN prediction
Lewis Hamilton looked like a new man in Austin as he notched up win No. 50 of his career and put an end to a five-race victory drought. He needs to do the same again this weekend to keep his title chances alive and just one week on from the U.S. Grand Prix he should be able to keep that momentum going.
Weather
Dry weather is expected for Friday, Saturday and Sunday. This is normal for this time of year in Mexico City, as the end of October is the beginning of the dry season that continues all the way through the winter months. However, some showers cannot be ruled out during the afternoon and evening hours. But it's not going to be warm out there, with highs expected to be between 16C and 19C.
A lap with ... Romain Grosjean
"Long straight line going into turn one with big braking, 90 degrees right-hand side, followed by a small chicane. It's very important to get the second part right because you've got another long straight line. Then you've got another 90-degree left corner, and then a 90-degree right corner. "That's followed by a very weird double right-hander. It's very difficult to find a line. Then you go to the middle section which is flowing, with mid- to high-speed left and right corners. "Next it's the entry to the stadium - big braking here, very tricky with the wall facing you. Then it's a very slow hairpin in the stadium, as slow as Monaco. Finally, it's the double right-hand corner with very important traction going into the old part of the oval to finish the lap."
Tyres
Tyre selections for #MexicanGP - Merc goes conservative, rivals go aggressive pic.twitter.com/uUwTSAE1hR
— Nate Saunders (@natesaundESPNF1) October 18, 2016
Compounds: Medium, Soft, Super-soft
Along with Monza and Baku, Mexico is one of the fastest circuits on the 2016 calendar. However, the cars run more downforce than at Monza, partly to compensate for the altitude.
The asphalt is still new, as the circuit was resurfaced for last year's inaugural race (smoothing out the bumps that used to be typical of Mexico). The surface may have evolved this year.
Mexico's most famous corner -- Peraltada -- is the one that takes most energy from the tyres.
Weather is always a question mark, with both warm conditions and heavy rain possible.
Last year, the track was slippery: however the circuit has been quite extensively used by a number of different championships during the season, which should lay more rubber down.