Lucas Di Grassi – Audi Sport Team Joest
“The track here has too many slow corners for an LM P1 car which is especially made for Le Mans so this is the only downside. We have these tight hairpins in first and second gear.
“The track itself is very tricky and the high altitude makes it low grip and difficult to drive. There is no room for a mistake and you have already seen a bit crash today.
“It is a challenging track with traffic with the track density because it is a short track and the difference in performance is bigger so it is going to be a very interesting race.
“You have 20 per cent less air so you have 20 per cent less downforce. It is proportional and you also have less drag. With the hybrid you don’t lose anything because there is no air involved and with the turbo you can get it back.
“Against a normally aspirated car the relative gain is much bigger but in terms of grip you have 20 per cent less downforce so every time you brake and turn you cannot put the energy into the tyre like you want to.
“The car is very light and it is very easy to make a mistake. It is also tricky to overtake so it is a combination of low grip and tight corners.
Mark Webber – Porsche Team
“The enthusiasm of the people is great so it’s good to see that but if we could get a few extra kilometres somewhere that would be nice.
“In regards to the altitude it’s OK for the drivers and the cars and it is fine because the G-forces are not that high.
“It is harder on the cars than the drivers. You know you are at a little bit higher altitude but it is relatively straight forward for the drivers.
“The Audi looks quick but they were quick at the Nurburgring but we managed to find a way to beat them so that’s the plan here.
Luis Diaz – Greaves Motorsport Gibson 015S-Nissan
“I’m happy to be back. For me this is the best series in the world. It is great to have it here in Mexico.
“For Greaves Motorsport we haven’t had enough time in the car yet and the last time I drove here was back in 2006 and the track is very different now.
“I’m getting used to the car and the team. Greaves have done a great job and along with Roberto (Ricardo’s brother) we are making steps forward so hopefully we can have a good result on Saturday.
“It is difficult for us to come here for a one off race because we’re up against the best drivers in the world and the best teams. The other teams have been working hard all year and they have a good pace so we have to work extra hard to catch them up.
“Hopefully if we don’t make mistakes we have a good line-up and the car is pretty decent so hopefully we can fight with these guys.
“We’d like to fight for the podium – that would be a good result for us.”
Pipo Derani – Extreme Speed Motorsports
“Learning the track is very important and we have to learn the new tyres. We had a change of manufacturer in the middle of the season and having run the Michelin for the first time at the Nurburgring I think it gives us a little more confidence coming into this race weekend.
“I think everything is working really well so far and it is great pleasure to be here.
“Bruno (Senna) said Ricardo was a great gentleman driver but I it looks like he is a good promoter as well. It is great to be here at this event.
“It is never easy to change tyres in the middle of the season. Both tyre manufacturers have a different way of building their tyres so before anything else we had to change the car set up to suit the new tyre.
“We have a lot of pressure as this is a home race for Tequila Patrón. We have to get both cars home to the finish as we have more than 700 guests from the farm and the factory.
“It is very important for us to have a clean race and make it to the finish line. Its latin here and it’s nice to feel welcome from the fans.”
