2025 Mexico City Grand Prix: Fast Facts

Formula 1’s America journey continues with a trip south for the Mexico City Grand Prix, one week on from the round in Austin. As usual, the atmosphere inside the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez will be electrifying because of the exuberance of the fans who pack the grandstands in the spectacular Foro Solo stadium section, one of the most photogenic points on the calendar.

One can also describe it as breathtaking because the circuit sits at over two thousand metres above sea level, which means the rarefied air has a significant effect on car performance…

The Compounds

As was the case in Austin last weekend, for the Mexican round, there is again 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 will now be the C2. For the Mexico City track, this compound is an extremely conservative choice, with a considerable delta in terms of lap time compared to the other two, while also offering less grip.

Last year, the Soft only came into play in qualifying and then in the race, only in an attempt to secure the extra point for setting the fastest race lap, but now the scenario could change considerably. 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. However, 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.

The use of the two softest compounds will certainly be carefully evaluated during the three free practice sessions, when teams will be able to 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.

On a track that already offers little grip due to its limited use, the tyres tend to slide, which leads to graining. It will also be interesting to see whether the greater resistance to this phenomenon offered by the current compounds will help limit it and therefore benefit those who are masters of tyre management.

The Track

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 at over 2,200 metres above sea level means the air is very rarefied. Therefore, the cars generate less downforce, making car set-up and technical management particularly demanding for the teams.

The main straight is over 1.2 kilometres long, on which the cars reach very high top speeds, partly due to the minimal downforce. The track surface is very smooth, and at the start of the weekend does not provide much grip, as it does not get much use. Therefore, it rubbers in over the three days, which is reflected in improved lap times. Drivers will 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, this is also the track where drivers have to change gear the least.

The Stats

The circuit named in memory of the Rodríguez brothers 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).

To find the driver with the most pole positions, one must go back to the 1960s, when Jim Clark, driving for Lotus, took pole four times between 1963 and 1967. The last two poles have gone to Ferrari courtesy of Charles Leclerc in 2023 and Carlos Sainz in 2024. Last year’s race was actually the last time to date that the Spaniard, now with Williams, won a Grand Prix. 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.

How to Watch the 2025 Mexico City Grand Prix

Formula 1 fans around the globe can catch all the action from the 2025 Mexico City Grand Prix through various broadcasters and streaming services.

In the United Kingdom, viewers can watch every session live on Sky Sports F1, with comprehensive coverage of the practice sessions, qualifying, and the race itself.

For fans in the United States, the Mexico City Grand Prix will be available through ESPN and its associated channels. ESPN offers extensive coverage of F1, including live broadcasts and replays. Cord-cutters can also stream the race live through various over-the-top (OTT) services that carry ESPN channels.

Viewers in Australia can tune in to watch the Grand Prix weekend unfold live on Fox Sports, which offers complete coverage of F1 races. For online streaming, fans can subscribe to Kayo Sports, a streaming platform that includes all Fox Sports content.

Additionally, F1 TV Pro offers live streaming of every track session to viewers in many countries worldwide.

This subscription service provides access to onboard cameras, team radios, live timing, and more, for an immersive viewing experience.

Remember to check the local listings and services for the most up-to-date information regarding broadcast times and availability in your region.

Mexico City Grand Prix Fast Facts

• The Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez is the third-shortest circuit on the 2025 F1 calendar, at just 4.304 km (behind only Zandvoort and Monaco).
• The track has the longest run from pole position to the first braking zone of any on the 2025 F1 calendar (767m) and almost 10 seconds of the 1.2-kilometre-long straight are taken at full throttle.
• Because of the high altitude and the low air density in Mexico City, the air is incredibly thin (meaning there are fewer molecules around) and transports less energy away from hot systems like the Power Unit and brakes.
• Because you can run a Monaco wing level but experience Monza levels of downforce, top speeds in Mexico are some of the highest of the season, where the cars can achieve 346km/h (215 mph) – or more with a tow.
• The Power Unit is one of the most affected systems on the car by the high altitude, with a decent drop in engine power due to the thin air. The turbocharger makes up for some of the power loss but must work much harder than it would in normal conditions.
• Because of twisty in-field section away from the main pit straight, the circuit sees drivers at full throttle for just 45% of the total lap time, and 60% of the lap distance – some of the lowest numbers of the season.