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Why the Mexican Grand Prix remains one of F1’s best spectacles
The Mexican Grand Prix is back, and the anticipation couldn’t be higher. From October 24 to 26, the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez will once again come alive with the roar of Formula 1 engines, the colors of the Mexican flag, and the energy of thousands of fans ready to witness one of the most exciting races of the season.
This year’s race comes at a crucial point in the championship: McLaren leads the pack, with Mercedes and Ferrari chasing close behind, while Max Verstappen aims to regain ground in the title fight. The stakes are high, and Mexico City’s unique conditions promise to make things even more unpredictable.
Why the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez is F1’s most passionate stage
At over 2,200 meters above sea level, the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez presents one of the toughest technical challenges of the F1 calendar. The thin air at this altitude affects both the drivers and their machines. Engines lose power, cooling systems struggle, and aerodynamic setups must be tweaked to compensate for the lack of oxygen. The circuit spans 4.304 kilometers with 17 turns and 71 laps, a total of 305.354 kilometers where every mistake can cost dearly.
The circuit’s most iconic feature remains the Foro Sol, a stadium section that sees drivers pass through grandstands packed with roaring fans, creating one of the most electrifying atmospheres in all of motorsport.
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Although Sergio “Checo” Pérez has been absent from the F1 grid since 2024, Mexico won’t go unrepresented this weekend. Pato O’Ward, McLaren’s reserve driver, will take part in Free Practice 1 on Friday, October 24, giving fans a home hero to cheer for. Meanwhile, Checo is set to make his return to Formula 1 in 2026 with Cadillac, a comeback eagerly awaited by fans.
A Rich Legacy of Speed
Mexico’s history with Formula 1 stretches back over six decades. The first non-championship race was held in 1962, remembered tragically for the fatal accident of Ricardo Rodríguez, one of Mexico’s most promising talents. A year later, in 1963, the Mexican GP became part of the official F1 calendar, with Jim Clark claiming victory at the inaugural event.
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Over the years, the race has seen several interruptions, from its first era (1963–1970) to its revival in 1986, and again in 2015 after a 23-year absence. Each return has marked a new chapter in the sport’s evolution in Mexico.
In its current layout, redesigned by Hermann Tilke in 2015, only two teams have won: Mercedes and Red Bull. The track’s modern configuration replaced the old, high-speed Peraltada curve with a tighter, slower stadium section that’s become a fan favorite.
Max Verstappen stands as the undisputed king of the Mexican Grand Prix, having won it five times, more than any other driver in history. His victories (2017, 2018, 2021, 2022, 2023) have cemented Red Bull’s supremacy at this track. Behind him, legends like Jim Clark, Nigel Mansell, Alain Prost, and Lewis Hamilton each have two wins to their names.
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The 2024 edition saw a break in Verstappen’s dominance, with Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz claiming victory, marking the team’s first win in Mexico since Alain Prost’s triumph in 1990.
Past Winners of the Mexican Grand Prix
- 2024: Carlos Sainz (Ferrari)
- 2023: Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
- 2022: Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
- 2021: Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
- 2019: Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)
- 2018: Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
- 2017: Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
- 2016: Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)
- 2015: Nico Rosberg (Mercedes)
- 1992: Nigel Mansell (Williams)
- 1991: Riccardo Patrese (Williams)
- 1990: Alain Prost (Ferrari)
- 1989: Ayrton Senna (McLaren)
- 1988: Alain Prost (McLaren)
- 1987: Nigel Mansell (Williams)
- 1986: Gerhard Berger (Benetton)
- 1970: Jacky Ickx (Ferrari)
- 1969: Denny Hulme (McLaren)
- 1968: Graham Hill (Lotus)
- 1967: Jim Clark (Lotus)
- 1966: John Surtees (Cooper)
- 1965: Richie Ginther (Honda)
- 1964: Dan Gurney (Brabham)
- 1963: Jim Clark (Lotus)
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With McLaren at the top, Red Bull fighting to reclaim dominance, and Ferrari and Mercedes staying within striking distance, the 2025 Mexican Grand Prix has all the ingredients of a classic. Add in the altitude, the unpredictable conditions, and the unmatched passion of the Mexican crowd, and it’s clear why this race continues to be one of Formula 1’s most thrilling stops on the calendar.
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