This weekend, the Formula 1 circuit moves to the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez for the Mexico City Grand Prix, marking Round 20 on the 2025 calendar.
Free Practice 1 and 2 are scheduled for Friday, October 24, followed by Free Practice 3 and Qualifying on Saturday, October 25, and finally, the Grand Prix on Sunday, October 26.
Key Facts
- Initial Grand Prix – 1963
- Circuit Length – 4.304km
- Lap Record – 1m 17.774s, Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes, 2021
- Most Pole Positions – Jim Clark (4)
- Most Wins – Max Verstappen (5)
- Interesting Fact – The decrease in air pressure at 7,200ft AMSL leads to higher top speeds at this race, surpassing Italy. Valtteri Bottas recorded the fastest speed in F1 history here in 2016 (231.46mph).
- Distance from Pole to Turn 1 braking point – 830m
- Overtakes in 2024 – 91
- Safety Car Likelihood – 43%*
- Virtual Safety Car Likelihood – 71%*
- Pit Stop Time Loss – 21.9 seconds
*Based on the last seven races in Mexico
Driver Insights
Jolyon Palmer, former Renault F1 driver: The Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez presents a low downforce scenario, and with the thin air in Mexico City, cars often feel less grippy.
The initial braking zones can be challenging, and mid-sector conditions are often slippery. It is crucial to gauge the correct amount of kerbing early on, as overdoing it can upset the car’s balance.
The final sector proves tricky as it feels slow, especially through the stadium area. The second last right-hander might appear benign, but it’s a common crash spot due to reduced grip and proximity to the wall.
Overall grip levels are low, causing the car to feel cumbersome at lower speeds. Nevertheless, the atmosphere in Mexico is invigorating.
Recent Pole Positions
- 2024 – Carlos Sainz (Ferrari)
- 2023 – Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)
- 2022 – Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
- 2021 – Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes)
- 2019 – Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)*
*Max Verstappen was fastest in Qualifying but incurred a penalty for not slowing during yellow flags.
Recent Winners
- 2024 – Carlos Sainz (Ferrari)
- 2023 – Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
- 2022 – Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
- 2021 – Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
- 2019 – Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)
Tire and Strategy Overview
“Similar to Austin, there is a significant difference in compound selection for Mexico, with a shift toward harder tires,” states Pirelli’s preview for the weekend.
The hard tire will now be the C2, which is considered conservative, offering a noticeable drop in lap time compared to the medium (C4) and soft (C5).
Last year, soft compounds were mainly used in Qualifying and sporadic race efforts to secure the fastest lap point, but this time the strategy could heavily favor C4 and C5 due to performance.
Relying on softer compounds may lead to a second pit stop due to wear; however, using C2 could allow for a one-stop strategy at the cost of speed.
Teams will assess tire behavior during free practice sessions, focusing on tire wear as the thin air at altitude commonly leads to graining, affecting grip.
The ability of current compounds to withstand graining could greatly impact those adept at managing their tires effectively.
Current Championship Context
After an exciting race in Austin, the Drivers’ Championship standings shifted as Oscar Piastri’s lead over teammate Lando Norris narrowed to 14 points following a double DNF in the Sprint event.
Notably, Max Verstappen is now just 40 points behind Piastri after a strong performance, winning both the Sprint and the Grand Prix, fuelling his pursuit of a fifth consecutive title.
With five races left and two more Sprints on the calendar, Verstappen emphasized the need for consistent performance as he aims to capitalize on this momentum.
McLaren’s Andrea Stella announced that the championship remains firmly within reach, looking forward to a strong showing in Mexico City.
As the competition tightens, Mercedes and Ferrari will continue to vie for second place in the Constructors’ Championship, further intensifying the battle in the midfield.
Memorable Moments
An unforgettable moment occurred during the opening lap of the 2017 Mexican Grand Prix when Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel secured pole, flanked by Max Verstappen in 2nd and Lewis Hamilton in 3rd.
As the race commenced, Verstappen swiftly overtook Vettel at Turn 2, enabling Hamilton to pass the German as well. However, a collision with Verstappen resulted in Vettel damaging his wing, while Hamilton suffered a puncture.
The incident left both title contenders at the back of the pack. Verstappen went on to win, while Vettel recovered to finish fourth, and Hamilton salvaged ninth, securing the 2017 Drivers’ title in the process.
Watch the thrilling action unfold through the video clip provided below…
