Daniel Suarez Shuns Max Verstappen’s Advice for Mexico Cup Race
As NASCAR ventures into uncharted territory with its first Cup Series points-paying race beyond the US borders, all eyes are on homegrown talent Daniel Suarez gearing up to dominate the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez in the inaugural Viva Mexico 250.
Suarez, driving for Trackhouse Racing, is not holding back this weekend, competing in both the Xfinity Series race on Saturday and the main Cup event on Sunday to captivate the Mexican fans and maximize his presence on the track.
Despite sharing a family connection with F1 superstar Max Verstappen through their relationships with the Piquet sisters, Suarez remains adamant about not seeking advice from the Dutch driver. Suarez, married to Julia Piquet, and Verstappen, partner to Kelley Piquet, have chosen to tackle the track independently, given the stark differences between their racing machines.
Suarez’s Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 and Verstappen’s Red Bull F1 car operate in contrasting ways, demanding unique driving techniques to navigate them effectively. The NASCAR Next Gen Cup car and F1 car not only differ in appearance but also in their racing approach, making cross-advice less applicable.
The Mexican driver expressed his skepticism, stating, “I don’t know if I can get a lot of advice from Max or someone that has run Formula 1 cars there before.” With the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez hosting F1 races regularly, Verstappen’s expertise might not directly translate to Suarez’s NASCAR performance on the track.
Moreover, the track’s high altitude, situated approximately 7,300 feet above sea level, poses additional challenges for both drivers. The thin air at this elevation affects downforce, engine cooling, and brake performance, altering the dynamics of the race cars. While F1 cars adapt by employing high downforce packages, NASCAR Cup cars also struggle with reduced downforce at this venue.
Suarez’s limited familiarity with nearly half of the track, especially the stadium section, further solidifies his decision to forgo Verstappen’s guidance for the Mexico race. The unique track conditions and car specifications demand a tailored approach, making Suarez’s solo strategy a wise choice for this high-stakes event.
