CARLOS Sainz knows repeating his excellent debut for Renault will not be easy at tomorrow’s Mexican Grand Prix.

The 23-year-old finished seventh at last weekend’s United States Grand Prix in his first outing for the Enstone-based team since switching from Toro Rosso.

But the Spaniard is aware of the challenges posed by a circuit that sits 7,500ft above sea level.

He said: “The downforce levels are very low because of the altitude.

“I’m looking forward to an interesting track.”

Grove-based Williams driver Felipe Massa is prepared for a special atmosphere at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez.

He said: “When you see the people in the grandstand and around the roads, they are proper Formula One fans and I think it’s fantastic to race there.”