F1 Mexican Grand Prix: Reviewing the Last Five Champions at Mexico City
The Mexican Grand Prix returns to the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez for its 2026 race, marking the second stop in the American triple-header. Racing here presents a unique challenge due to Mexico City's high altitude, roughly 2,240 meters above sea level. This thin air reduces aerodynamic downforce and drag on the cars, making practice sessions crucial for drivers to adapt to these conditions.
The approach to Turn 1 is longer than most circuits, offering ample chances for overtaking. Interestingly, two of the last five winners began their races from third position on the grid.
Fastest Laps at the Mexican Grand Prix
- Max Verstappen (Red Bull) holds the record for the fastest qualifying lap with a time of 1:14.758 during the 2019 event.
- Valtteri Bottas, then driving for Mercedes, set the quickest race lap at 1:17.774 on lap 69 of the 2021 Grand Prix.
- Racers usually complete 71 laps around this track to finish the event.
Recent Winners of the Mexican GP
- 2025: Lando Norris (McLaren)Norris secured pole position and managed to maintain his lead despite pressure from Max Verstappen and Ferrari's Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton. He finished comfortably ahead, more than 30 seconds clear of second place.
- 2024: Carlos Sainz Jr. (Ferrari)Sainz started on pole after outqualifying Verstappen but lost the initial lead into Turn 1. He reclaimed first place on lap 9 and held off challenges while Verstappen faced penalties. This was Sainz's last victory for Ferrari.
- 2023: Max Verstappen (Red Bull)Starting third behind Ferrari’s front-row lockout, Verstappen used slipstreaming on the long run to Turn 1 to take the lead. Despite a red flag caused by Kevin Magnussen’s crash, Verstappen dominated to win by over 13 seconds ahead of Hamilton.
- 2022: Max Verstappen (Red Bull)Verstappen led from pole, managing his race pace with a one-stop strategy switching from soft to medium tires. This allowed him to hold off Mercedes contenders and secure a straightforward victory.
- 2021: Max Verstappen (Red Bull)Beginning third behind Hamilton and Bottas, Verstappen used the slipstream advantage to overtake into Turn 1 and controlled the race, finishing 16 seconds ahead of Hamilton. His teammate Sergio Perez delighted fans by finishing third, becoming the first Mexican on the podium at his home Grand Prix.
Who Looks Strong for 2026?
Kimi Antonelli may have taken the recent race win in Austin, yet Max Verstappen remains the dominant figure in Mexico City with five victories here. The circuit favors cars with strong straight-line speed, which suits Red Bull's setup perfectly. Verstappen's experience combined with the car's performance makes them the favorites heading into this year's Mexican Grand Prix.
