Ricciardo Needing To Race Like Speedy Gonzalez In Mexico

It's always a bit of a Mexican fiesta and the crowds bloody love it.

It looks good on TV too.

We're talking about the Mexican Grand Prix which has fast become one of the biggest events on the Formula 1 calendar.

Hundreds of thousands of passionate fans will cram into the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez for a race that has become known for its unique party atmosphere.

“The fans are awesome and I would say it’s the best Drivers’ Parade we do all year," said Daniel Ricciardo.

A "stadium section" of the track is particularly buzzworthy as the car fly through the "Foro Sol" where the noise is enough to drown out even a Formula 1 car!

“Even though the stadium section is really slow and not the most adrenaline fuelled part of the track, I really enjoy it because it’s so technical," said the Aussie.

Expect the excitement this weekend to reach fever pitch with Lewis Hamilton needing only a top-five finish to reclaim the crown he lost to Nico Rosberg last year.

Sebastian Vettel is the only other guy who can beat him to the title.

Trouble is, he needs to win all of the last three races and Ferrari haven't been going great of late.

Nevertheless the Scuderia and Red Bull will be looking to finish the season on a high with three more races until they pack it up for the year.

The teams will deploy some high downforce set-ups and big wings in Mexico City with the track situated some 2200m above sea level.

Ricciardo says it's a bit of a challenge to get the car right, but he's up for it.

“The thin air definitely makes a big difference to the car handling. We use the most downforce we have and it still feels less than Monza."

"The car moves around a lot and for that reason you never really feel 100 percent happy, but you just deal with it."

He'll need to if his Red Bull needs an engine change before the race.

Ricciardo might be starting from the back if the team can't salvage the unit from last week's mechanical dramas in Texas.

It's another one you'll have to set the alarm for with the race starting at 04:00 (AEDST) on Monday morning on Fox Sports.

2017 Mexican Grand Prix Figures

Track: Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez

Corners: 17

Lap Record: Nico Rosberg 1:20.521 (2015)

2016 Winner: Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)

2016 Pole Position: Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) 1:18.704

2016 Fastest Lap: Daniel Ricciardo (Red Bull) 1:21.134