The 2026 Formula 1 season moves on to the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez this weekend for Round 19 on the calendar, the Mexico City Grand Prix.
Free Practice 1 and 2 will take place on Friday, October 30, followed by Free Practice 3 and Qualifying on Saturday, October 31, and the Grand Prix itself on Sunday, November 1.
Vital statistics
- First Grand Prix – 1963
- Track Length – 4.304km
- Lap record – 1m 17.774s, Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes, 2021
- Most pole positions – Jim Clark (4)
- Most wins – Max Verstappen (5)
- Trivia – The 20% air pressure reduction at 7,200ft AMSL (above mean sea level) means Mexico has taken over from Italy as the race with the highest top speeds. In the 2016 race, Valtteri Bottas set the fastest ever trap speed in F1 history (231.46mph) but Williams telemetry said his maximum speed reached 231.96mph before braking for Turn 1
- Pole run to Turn 1 braking point – 830m
- Overtakes completed in 2025 – 97
- Safety Car probability – 60%*
- Virtual Safety Car probability – 60%*
- Pit stop time loss – 21.78 seconds
*From the last five races in Mexico
The driver’s verdict
Jolyon Palmer, former Renault F1 driver: The Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez has a low downforce effect but, here in Mexico City, you run to the maximum due to the thin air. The car always feels low on grip and on the edge around here.
The big braking zones are tricky in the first half of the lap and it is always loose through the middle sector thanks to the aforementioned low downforce. You’ve got to work out how much kerb you can take early on; take too much and it can really unsettle the car.
The last sector is fiddly and it feels ridiculously slow through the stadium. The penultimate right-hander feels like it might be nothing, but it is arguably the easiest to crash on with low grip and the wall so close.
Grip level overall is very low and the car feels so clumsy at such a low speed. But the atmosphere around here in Mexico is great, which is such a buzz.
Tyre and strategy insight
“The Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez has traditionally been one of the least demanding circuits on tyres,” reads Pirelli’s weekend preview. “Its many low-speed corners and limited lateral loads tend to keep wear under control.
“At the same time, the thin air reduces the aerodynamic load generated by the cars, increasing tyre slip and making graining a factor to watch closely. With a new and smoother asphalt surface, this characteristic could play an even more significant role in shaping strategy.
“In Mexico, the track is often quite dirty during the first sessions, with grip improving significantly lap after lap. This year, that evolution could be even more pronounced given the extensive resurfacing work.
“From a strategic point of view, the circuit’s low severity and the behaviour of the three compounds on tracks with similar characteristics could favour a one-stop race. Tyre management to extend stints will nevertheless remain an important factor, particularly considering that the rear axle is the most heavily stressed.
“The difference between the various strategic options may depend more on the confidence a driver can extract from a particular compound than on any genuine tyre life limitation. As seen at several events this season, some teams may be more inclined towards the softer compounds in order to benefit from the additional grip available, while others may favour the consistency and stability offered by the hard.
“In any case, the soft could once again play a central role. The C5 has demonstrated strong characteristics on low-severity circuits and could prove an attractive option not only in qualifying but also in the race, broadening the range of strategic possibilities compared to previous seasons.
“Another aspect to monitor will be braking performance. The altitude reduces aerodynamic efficiency and can make the management of the heaviest braking zones more challenging. The long main straight leading into Turn 1 could increase the risk of lock-ups, especially during the early stages of the weekend when grip levels are still limited.”
Current form
Kimi Antonelli scored his ninth win of the season last time out in Austin, resulting in his advantage at the top of the drivers’ standings growing to 123 points over Mercedes team mate George Russell.
This also means that the Italian could feasibly secure his maiden World Championship this weekend at the Mexico City Grand Prix. To do so, he needs to score just two more points – so a P9 finish is all he requires.
Should he fail to take any points, Antonelli could still clinch the title if neither Russell nor Lewis Hamilton win the race. A memorable few days might be in store, then, as the F1 paddock heads to the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez.
There is also a close fight brewing up behind, with Russell, Hamilton, Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc all within 10 points of each other from P2 to P5 respectively in the standings.
Ferrari looked to have good pace in Austin, so can the Scuderia continue this form to put themselves ahead in the battle? Red Bull, meanwhile, have equalled McLaren on points and leapfrogged the papaya outfit to move up into third place of the Teams’ Championship.
In the midfield, Racing Bulls are pulling away fast in the scrap for P5 – having now amassed 102 points in comparison to 69 for sixth-placed Alpine – while Haas have so far kept Audi at bay in the P8 duel.
Iconic moment
The opening lap at the 2017 Mexican Grand Prix was eventful to say the least. Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel had managed to grab pole ahead of the Red Bull of Max Verstappen in P2 and title rival Lewis Hamilton in P3.
But as soon as the lights went out it was a young Verstappen who managed to force himself past Vettel at the second corner, allowing Hamilton himself to overtake the German. However, on the entry to the third corner Vettel clipped Verstappen’s right rear tyre, and also subsequently came together with Hamilton’s right rear.
Vettel would end up pitting for a new wing following that incident, while Hamilton limped back with a puncture – the two championship contenders now left in 19th and 20th respectively.
With Verstappen going on to seal the win, Vettel would battle back to fourth. However, Hamilton managed to haul his Mercedes up to ninth place and that was enough to secure the 2017 drivers’ title.
Watch the action as it unfolded in the clip below…
