Mexico City Grand Prix 2026
High altitude, high passion. The Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez sits 2,240 metres above sea level in the heart of Latin America's greatest city — making it the most unusual circuit on the calendar and one of the most spectacular events of the entire season.
Circuit Facts
Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez
Mexico City, Mexico
17
3
~20% less air density
Permanent Road Course
About Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez
The Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez is one of the most storied venues in Formula 1, named after Mexican racing brothers Ricardo and Pedro Rodriguez who both competed — and in Ricardo's case, died — at the circuit in the 1960s. The track first hosted the Mexican Grand Prix in 1963 and has had a long, interrupted relationship with the World Championship, missing many years before the modern era brought it back to the calendar in 2015 with a spectacular renovated layout that retained the spirit of the original while meeting all of Formula 1's modern requirements.
The circuit's defining characteristic is its extraordinary altitude. At 2,240 metres above sea level, Mexico City sits higher than any other Formula 1 venue by a significant margin. The thin air at this altitude reduces air density by approximately 20% compared to sea level, with profound consequences for the cars. Aerodynamic downforce is dramatically reduced — teams must run much higher wing angles to generate the same grip levels as other circuits, which in turn increases drag and reduces straight-line speed. Engine cooling is also more challenging in the thinner air, and the power output of naturally aspirated engines historically suffered significantly, though modern hybrid power units are less affected.
The most unique feature of the circuit is the stadium section — turns 12, 13, and 14 wind through the infield of an old Foro Sol baseball stadium, with tens of thousands of fans packed into the steeply banked grandstands just metres from the track. The noise and colour in the stadium are unlike anywhere else in Formula 1, and the atmosphere when a Mexican driver leads through here has been described as the loudest moment in the sport.
Key Corners
The Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez blends a long, thin-air straight with technical corners and the unmistakable stadium section. Altitude makes every corner feel different from anywhere else on the calendar.
Turns 1–2 — First Complex
A tight right-hand sequence at the end of the main straight that replaced the original Peraltada banked corner in the 2015 redesign. This is the primary overtaking point of the race — drivers arrive at high speed after a long straight and must brake hard into the tight complex. The reduced air density means braking distances are slightly longer than drivers expect from their simulator preparation.
Turns 4–6 — The Esses
A flowing chicane section that tests the car's balance and the driver's commitment. In thin air with reduced downforce, the car feels less planted through high-speed direction changes, requiring drivers to be smooth and precise. A small error here can upset the balance through the entire following straight section.
Turn 7 — Long Open Left
A long, open left-hander taken at medium-high speed. The reduced downforce from the altitude setup means less mechanical grip backup if the aerodynamics run out — drivers must be particularly precise about not running too wide at the exit, where the clean side of the circuit is slippery compared to the racing line.
Turns 12–13 — Stadium Section Hairpin
The most spectacular section of track anywhere on the Formula 1 calendar. The circuit threads through the grandstands of the old Foro Sol baseball stadium with fans packed in on both sides just metres from the cars. A tight hairpin in the middle of the stadium provides both an overtaking opportunity and maximum crowd noise. The atmosphere here is genuinely overwhelming.
Turns 14–15 — Stadium Exit
As the cars exit the stadium section they pass through a final set of corners before the long main straight. Getting a clean exit from the stadium complex is critical for carrying speed down the straight toward the first braking zone. A poor exit can hand an advantage to a following car over the entire length of the pit straight.
Race Atmosphere
The Mexico City Grand Prix is among the most passionate and colourful events in the entire sporting calendar. Over 300,000 fans attend across the race weekend — making it one of the largest sporting events in North America — and the Mexican fans bring a carnival atmosphere that transforms the entire circuit into a festival. Giant murals of the Rodriguez brothers decorate the circuit, the food and music are spectacular, and the stadium section creates a wall of noise that drivers say they can actually hear inside the cockpit despite the engine, helmet, and earplugs.
The race has a special significance in Mexico because of the Rodriguez brothers' legacy. Ricardo Rodriguez, who qualified second for the 1962 Mexican Grand Prix at just 19 years old, died during practice that year and is revered as a national hero. Pedro Rodriguez went on to win races in Formula 1 and also died in a racing accident, in 1971. The circuit that bears their names hosts the most significant race in Mexican sporting history each year, and the grandstands are packed with fans for whom this event is an annual pilgrimage.
Tyre Strategy
Mexico City's high altitude creates a distinctive tyre situation. The reduced air density and lower downforce levels mean that lateral loads on the tyres are significantly lower than at most other circuits, which dramatically reduces tyre degradation. As a result, Pirelli's Hard compound is frequently the tyre of choice for the race — durable enough to last the entire grand prix distance in a single stint if drivers manage it carefully. Teams often target a one-stop strategy using Hard and Medium compounds.
However, the long main straight — over 900 metres — and two additional DRS detection zones mean that track position after a pit stop can be defended more easily than at many circuits, which sometimes encourages an early undercut from teams in the chasing pack. The cooler temperatures at high altitude also help preserve tyre life, though the abrasive nature of the circuit surface in certain sectors provides a countervailing factor. Mexico consistently produces some of the most interesting tyre strategy conversations of the season.
How to Watch the Mexico City Grand Prix
Sky Sports F1
Every session live — practice, qualifying, and race. Available on Sky and via NOW TV streaming.
Channel 4
Free-to-air highlights of qualifying and the race. Available on Channel 4 and All 4 on-demand.
F1 TV Pro / NOW TV
F1 TV Pro offers live streaming worldwide. NOW TV provides Sky Sports access without a contract.
20:00 GMT (approx.)
Mexico City is CDT (UTC-6). The 14:00 local race start means a late Sunday evening viewing for UK fans.
Visit our TV schedule page for confirmed session times and broadcast details for the 2026 season.
Previous Winners at Mexico City
| Year | Winner | Team |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Carlos Sainz | Ferrari |
| 2024 | Carlos Sainz | Ferrari |
| 2023 | Max Verstappen | Red Bull Racing |
| 2022 | Max Verstappen | Red Bull Racing |
| 2021 | Max Verstappen | Red Bull Racing |