Mexico City Beckons
Posted on October 24, 2025 Tags: Formula One
The Squeeze Tightens
FORMULA ONE’S journey through the Americas continues with a trip south for the Mexico City Grand Prix, one week on from the round in Austin, Texas. And the facts seem quite simple at this stage of the exciting journey to the pinnacle of motor racing’s 2025 Formula 1 World Championship.
Oscar Piastri currently has the box seat. Lando Norris is right on his hammer.
Max Verstappen is keeping them honest, ,with five rounds to play out!
And Mercedes gun Gentleman George Russell is still in with an outside chance.
Carlos – Reigning Titleholder
Driving for Ferrari, Carlos Sainz converted pole position into victory at last year’s Mexican Grand Prix, fending off a late charge from Lando Norris. Charles Leclerc was third.
It was a dramatic race, with Carlos reclaiming the lead after an early battle with Max Verstappen, who later received a penalty for forcing Lando off track.
The win marked Carlos’ fourth career victory. And his final triumph with Ferrari.
Last year’s race was actually the last time to date that the Spaniard, now with Williams, won a Grand Prix.
Mexico City Circuit Simply Breathtaking
The atmosphere inside the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez always is electrifying because of the exuberance of the fans who pack the grandstands in the spectacular Foro Sol stadium section.
It’s undoubtedly one of the most photogenic points on the calendar.
One could also describe it as breathtaking given that the circuit sits at more than two thousand metres above sea level. And that means the rarefied air has a significant effect on car performance.
Mexico City is the capital and largest city of Mexico, as well as the most populous city in North America.
It’s recognised as one of the most important cultural and financial centres in the world.
And the weather’s looking great!
Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, Mexico City
Rarified Air – 2000m Above Sea Level
The race is run over 71 laps of the 4.304 kilometres of Mexico City’s Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez – which boasts 17 corners.
Its main peculiarity is its altitude which, more than 2200 metres above sea level, means the air is very rarefied.
As a result, the cars generate less downforce making set-up and technical management particularly demanding for the teams.
The 1.2km main straight generates exceptionally high top speeds, partly down to the minimal downforce.
The track surface is very smooth, and at the start of the weekend doesn’t provide much grip, as it does not get much use. But it rubbers-in over the three days, reflected in improved lap times.
Drivers also need to be careful not to lock up the wheels under braking, due to the tyre surface temperatures dropping quickly down the two long straights.
Because of its unusual layout, Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez also is the track where drivers have to change gear the least.
The Compounds
Like Austin last weekend, the Mexican round again features a jump in the compound selection between the hardest of the three and the medium.
While the Medium and Soft are the C4 and C5 respectively, as in 2024, the Hard is now the C2.
Pirelli considers this compound an extremely conservative choice, with a considerable delta in terms of lap time compared to the other two, while also offering less grip.
The advantage to be had from the C4 and C5 could in fact lead the teams to aim for a race run predominantly on these compounds.
But that comes with the risk of possibly having to make a second pit stop because of degradation.
Anyone choosing the C2 could relatively comfortably manage a longer stint, going for a one-stop on the way to the chequered flag, although it entails a reduction in performance.
Pirelli believes the use of the two softest compounds will be carefully evaluated during the three free practice sessions, when teams run long stints with full fuel loads and check the condition of the tyres.
Historically, graining levels in Mexico are quite pronounced, since the thin air at altitude reduces the amount of aerodynamic downforce that the cars can produce.
By the Numbers
Named in memory of the Rodríguez brothers, this extraordinary circuit has hosted 24 editions of the Grand Prix, twenty – the first in 1963 – going by the name of “Mexican Grand Prix” and the last four taking their name from the country’s capital.
Max Verstappen is the most successful driver at this track, which explains why Red Bull is among the teams with the most wins in Mexico, with five in total (2017, 2018, 2021, 2022 and 2023).
The last two poles have gone to Ferrari with Charles Leclerc in 2023 and Carlos Sainz in 2024.
The Mexican round has also been particularly significant for current Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton, who celebrated his 2017 and 2018 world titles here, and holds the record for the most podium finishes in this race with six.
RACE SCHEDULE
My Time, Western Australia
MEXICO CITY GRAND PRIX
Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez | 25 – 27 Oct
P1 Saturday 25th October 02:30
P2 Saturday 25th October 05:00
P3 Sunday 26th October 01:30
Qualifying Sunday 26th October 05:00
RACE Monday 27th October 04:00
NEXT EVENT
BRAZIL GRAND PRIX
Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace I 07-10 Nov
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