Gran Premio de Mexico 2026, USA News (Mexico City): Formula 1 arrives in Mexico City from October 30 to November 1 to contest the twentieth round of the 2026 championship. For those beginning to follow motorsport, the Mexican Grand Prix represents an opportunity to become familiar with words that constantly appear during practices, qualifying, and the race.
This year’s edition has two main points of attention: the return of Sergio Perez with Cadillac before his home crowd and the possibility that Andrea Kimi Antonelli will secure his first world championship. The Italian arrives as the leader with 365 points and needs only two units to mathematically secure the title. Furthermore, the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez has conditions that directly influence the behavior of the single-seaters. The circuit is located more than 2,000 meters above sea level, meaning lower air density modifies aspects such as aerodynamics and cooling.
History of the Mexican Grand Prix
The history of the Mexican Grand Prix dates back to 1959, when the father of drivers Ricardo and Pedro Rodriguez promoted the construction of a circuit in the Magdalena Mixiuhca Sports City. Thanks to his closeness with then-president Adolfo Lopez Mateos, the project received support to become a reality and open the doors of international motorsport in the Mexican capital. Although the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez hosted its first Formula 1 race in 1962, that competition did not award points for the World Championship. It was not until 1963 that Mexico celebrated its first official Grand Prix, with British driver Jim Clark as the winner. Years later, in 1973, the circuit adopted the Rodriguez brothers’ name as a tribute to the Mexican drivers.
Another little-known fact is that Mexico has had three distinct stages within the Formula 1 calendar. The first occurred between 1963 and 1970; the second, from 1986 to 1992; and the third began in 2015 and continues to the present day, with the exception of 2020.
Circuit Characteristics and World Champions
The circuit has a length of 4.304 kilometers, features 17 corners, and the race is scheduled for 71 laps to complete 305.354 kilometers. Altitude above sea level is one of the elements that distinguishes the layout and forces teams to work on the configuration of their cars. Additionally, the fastest lap record in a race belongs to Finnish driver Valtteri Bottas, who registered a time of 1:17.774 in 2021, a mark that remains valid heading into the 2026 edition.
The Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez has already been the stage for five world drivers’ championship coronations. John Surtees secured the title in 1964, Denny Hulme secured it in 1967, and Graham Hill did the same in 1968. Decades later, Lewis Hamilton claimed the 2017 and 2018 championships on Mexican soil.
Perez Return and Weekend Schedule
Finally, Sergio Perez will return to compete in Mexico after his absence from the grid during 2025. The Mexican driver will face his first home Grand Prix with Cadillac since 2024, and his 300th Grand Prix since his arrival in the premier category.
The Mexican Grand Prix will be held from October 30 to November 1. Free practice sessions begin on Friday, while qualifying will take place on Saturday, October 31, at 15:00 hours, following Free Practice 3 scheduled for 11:30 hours. The race is scheduled for Sunday, November 1, at 14:00 hours, Central Mexico time.
Andrea Kimi Antonelli arrives as the leader of the Drivers’ World Championship with 365 points, after achieving his ninth victory of the season in Austin. His advantage over George Russell is 123 units, and he needs only two points to mathematically secure the title. Due to this championship situation, Antonelli stands out as the primary candidate to draw attention in Mexico, although the race result will depend on the performance of Mercedes and its rivals. A coronation at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez would also make him one of the drivers who have secured the World Championship on Mexican soil.
