Five Key Points to Watch at the F1 Mexico Grand Prix
This weekend, Formula 1 heads to Mexico City for the highly anticipated Mexico Grand Prix, just a week after Kimi Antonelli secured a commanding victory in Austin. That win marked Mercedes' driver’s ninth triumph of the 2026 season, showcasing his dominance from pole position with a strategic one-stop race.
Joining him on the podium were Charles Leclerc and Max Verstappen, both executing two-stop strategies. With only five races left in the season, the championship battles are reaching a critical stage, and there’s a chance that titles could be decided here at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez.
1. Antonelli’s Imminent World Title
It seems almost impossible that Kimi Antonelli won’t clinch the world championship this weekend. The 20-year-old has been untouchable, holding leads of 123 and 124 points over closest challengers George Russell and Lewis Hamilton. With 125 points still available this season—assuming the Middle Eastern rounds proceed—Antonelli needs only to finish ninth or better to seal his first title.
Even finishing outside the points might be enough if neither Russell nor Hamilton wins, which looks unlikely given current performances. Since round two in China, Antonelli has been the class above, securing nine wins, 15 podiums, and seven poles without major errors in the W17, while his teammate Russell has struggled.
Should he become champion in Mexico, Antonelli will break Sebastian Vettel's record to become the youngest F1 world champion by three years. More titles are expected to follow.
2. The Fight for the Constructors’ Championship
Mercedes is poised to claim its first drivers’ title since Hamilton’s seventh crown in 2020. Their constructors' title drought has been shorter but still notable, last winning in 2021 before four difficult years during the ground-effect era.
The team adapted brilliantly to the 2026 regulations, powered by an efficient power unit, dominating early with six straight wins from pole. While rivals like Ferrari, McLaren, and Red Bull have narrowed the gap with upgrades and race wins, Mercedes remains consistently superior.
Heading into Mexico, Mercedes leads Ferrari by 133 points, with 215 points available. This margin will shrink to 172 after the weekend. Though it's mathematically possible for Mercedes to clinch the constructors’ crown in Mexico, it’s unlikely—they need to outscore Ferrari by 39 points, which requires a 1-2 finish with Ferrari scoring very few points.
More realistically, Mercedes will wrap up the title at Interlagos next weekend.
3. Red Bull’s Persistent Problems
Despite a late-season comeback, Red Bull continues to wrestle with two nagging issues: poor race starts and radio communication glitches. Team sources, including Ronald Vording from Motorsport.com, have highlighted these problems recently.
The start troubles have cost the team throughout 2026. Driver Isack Hadjar recently suggested a clutch redesign is necessary after losing positions at race starts. Both Hadjar and Max Verstappen have dropped places off the line multiple times.
Radio problems, first noticed in Singapore, affected Verstappen again in Austin, as well as Hadjar for the first time this season. These issues are complex and likely to persist into 2027, according to team principal Laurent Mekies.
Still, the mood at Red Bull is mostly upbeat. They have climbed to third in the constructors' standings, with Verstappen on a podium streak spanning six races, including two wins. His podium finish in Austin despite challenges demonstrates how far the team has improved since the start of the year.
4. Can Ferrari End Its Winless Streak in Mexico?
Ferrari has been consistent, finishing on the podium in their last three races and outscoring rivals over the past two events. Yet, their victory drought has stretched to nine races. Austin seemed like the chance to break that streak, but they fell short.
Team boss Fred Vasseur noted that the main issue was qualifying performance; mistakes in Q3 forced drivers Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton to start further back and fight through the field.
Leclerc still managed second place, and Ferrari left Austin confident that the SF-26 is competitive across different circuits. However, Ferrari’s legacy demands wins, not just podiums.
The altitude of the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, sitting over 2,200 meters above sea level, creates unique challenges. Vasseur believes the car package works well here, with success depending on fine margins in tyre management and set-up. A Ferrari victory on Sunday remains a distinct possibility.
5. Sergio Pérez’s 300-Race Milestone
Sergio Perez will reach a milestone many drivers never achieve: 300 Formula 1 races. This achievement puts him among legends like Fernando Alonso, Rubens Barrichello, Jenson Button, and Michael Schumacher.
For Mexican and Latin American fans, this milestone holds deeper meaning. Perez has continually defied the 'pay driver' stereotype, proving his talent beyond sponsor backing. His career highlights include finishing runner-up in the world championship, becoming Mexico’s most successful F1 driver, and making a strong comeback with Cadillac Racing after leaving Red Bull in 2024.
While he no longer battles for podiums at his home race, finishing the event in 2026 would itself be a victory. Perez’s true legacy extends beyond stats; he has been key to bringing F1 back to Mexico and inspiring future generations under his motto: "Never give up."
- Kimi Antonelli: 9 wins, 15 podiums, 7 poles in 2026
- Championship points lead: Antonelli leads Russell by 123 points, Hamilton by 124
- Constructors standings: Mercedes leads Ferrari by 133 points before Mexico GP
- Podium streak: Max Verstappen has six consecutive podium finishes
- Ferrari winless streak: 9 races
- Sergio Perez’s milestone: 300 Grands Prix entered
