Round 19 of the 2026 season is the Mexico City Grand Prix, the second of three consecutive races across the Americas. With a long history of Grand Prix racing, Mexico hosts the event at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, near the capital, Mexico City. The circuit underwent a major renovation in 2015, with renowned circuit designer Hermann Tilke redesigning the layout to incorporate the former Foro Sol baseball stadium as a distinctive stadium section. The Mexican government provided extensive support for the renovation.

However, in 2019, shortly before the hosting contract was due to expire, the Mexican government announced that it would withdraw financial support, putting the future of the event from 2020 onward in doubt. With strong public support for its continuation, Mexican F1 driver Sergio Pérez and his sponsors helped secure backing from private companies and Mexico City authorities, allowing the event to continue. From 2020, the event’s official name became the Mexico City GP.

The most distinctive feature of Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez is its altitude of 2,240 m above sea level. At this elevation, air density drops to approximately 75% of that at sea level, significantly affecting not only engine performance but also aerodynamics and cooling.

In aerodynamic terms, the thinner air substantially reduces downforce, but it also reduces drag. As a result, cars can achieve high top speeds even when fitted with large wings. For the engine, the lower air density means that more air must be forced into the combustion chambers, making turbocharger performance and efficiency particularly important.

The greatest challenge, however, is cooling. The thin air reduces the effectiveness of radiators, intercoolers and oil coolers, while modern F1 cars also require effective battery cooling. Special measures are therefore needed to manage these demands.

The main straight is more than 1 km long, with approximately 900 m between the starting grid and Turn 1, making the acceleration battle immediately after the start a major highlight. Top speeds in qualifying exceed 360 km/h, placing the circuit alongside Monza as one of the fastest on the calendar. Turn 1 is an almost 90-degree right-hander that requires heavy braking and provides the circuit’s main overtaking opportunity.

Turns 1 through 3 form a sequence of S-shaped corners. After Turn 3, a straight leads into the chicane-like Turns 4 and 5, followed by the tight hairpin at Turn 6.

Turns 7 through 11 form a high-speed sequence of esses that has been part of the circuit since the 1980s and remains one of its highlights. Compared with the esses at Suzuka Circuit, the curves are more gradual, allowing F1 cars to change direction at even higher speeds. After the sweeping right-hander at Turn 12, the cars enter the stadium section.

The stadium section, built across the former playing field of the Foro Sol baseball stadium while retaining its grandstands, is the most recognizable feature of Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez. The roar of the crowd echoes around the enclosed section, almost like the sound inside a tunnel, making it a defining symbol of the Mexico City GP.

After negotiating the series of corners through the stadium, drivers reach the final corner, Peraltada. Originally a high-speed banked corner, Peraltada was modified in 2015 for safety reasons, with only the latter part of the original corner retained in the new layout. Even so, it preserves some of its high-speed character and remains an important corner that influences speed onto the main straight.

Although the circuit is relatively short at approximately 4.3 km, its high altitude and long straights give it a distinctive character and present unusual challenges, making Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez one of the most unique circuits on the F1 calendar.

In 1965, Honda achieved its first F1 victory at the Mexican GP, Round 10 of the season. Driving the RA272 Rev, Richie Ginther qualified third before taking the lead immediately after the start. In a remarkable performance for the time, he led every lap to secure Honda’s historic first victory.

The engine, specially prepared for the high-altitude conditions, delivered outstanding performance, allowing Ginther to maintain his lead and take the checkered flag ahead of the competition. The achievement came just one year and three months after Honda’s F1 debut, in only its 11th race.

This year’s Mexico City GP will mark Honda’s 501st F1 race, representing another step forward at the very circuit where the company celebrated its first victory.

With the 2026 season entering its final stages, the battles for championship titles and positions in the standings are approaching a decisive phase. Aston Martin Aramco Formula One™ Team (AMAF1) and Honda will prepare the chassis and power unit for the demanding high-altitude conditions of Mexico City, aiming to score points and improve the team’s position in the Constructors’ Championship standings.

AMAF1 has also announced that reserve driver Jak Crawford will take part in FP1 at the Mexico City GP.

“Mexico City is located a at high altitude, about 2,200 metres, making it the highest circuit on the F1 calendar. Naturally, it is therefore a very challenging track for the power unit, too.

“At this altitude, the air density becomes lower. To get the same airflow as at sea level, the turbocharger needs to work harder. In Mexico, the important point becomes how much can we make the turbo work, and how close to sea-level conditions can we operate the engine. This year, there is no MGU-H assist, so the turbo operation is heightened.

“With this year’s new regulations, it is tricky to fully read the situation until we actually run on the track. So, during free practice, it’s paramount to adjust to Mexico’s unique conditions. Nonetheless, we have been preparing together with our factory, HRC Sakura for the weekend ahead.”