Five Key Highlights for the F1 Mexico Grand Prix

F1 Returns to Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez

This weekend, Formula 1 races at the lively Mexico Grand Prix just a week after Kimi Antonelli claimed victory in Austin. The Mercedes driver secured his ninth win of the 2026 season there, dominating from pole position and executing a perfect one-stop strategy.

Antonelli was joined on the podium by Charles Leclerc and Max Verstappen, who both made two stops in the race. With only five races left this season, the championship battle is heating up, and the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez could decide two titles.

1. Antonelli's World Championship Moment?

Kimi Antonelli looks almost certain to clinch his first world title this weekend. The 20-year-old leads his closest rivals, George Russell and Lewis Hamilton, by 123 and 124 points respectively, with 125 points still up for grabs. Finishing ninth or better should be enough for Antonelli to seal the championship, and even finishing outside the points might suffice if neither Russell nor Hamilton wins the race.

Since round two in China, Antonelli has been dominant with nine wins, 15 podiums, and seven poles, rarely faltering in the Mercedes W17 despite struggles on his teammate’s side. If he claims the title here, he will become the youngest F1 world champion by three years, surpassing Sebastian Vettel’s record from 2010.

2. The Constructors’ Title Race

Mercedes awaits its first drivers' title since Hamilton's seventh crown in 2020, while the constructors' championship might be within reach sooner. The team last won the constructors' crown in 2021 before enduring four tough years adapting to ground-effect regulations.

The 2026 rule changes suited Mercedes well, largely thanks to their efficient power unit, leading them to victories in the first six races. Rival teams like Ferrari, McLaren, and Red Bull have closed the gap but not enough to dethrone Mercedes yet.

Entering Mexico, Mercedes holds a 133-point lead over Ferrari with 215 points available—this will drop to 172 after the weekend. To win the constructors' title here, Mercedes needs to outscore Ferrari by 39 points, which means finishing first and second or first and third with Ferrari scoring very few points. Most expect Mercedes to wrap it up next weekend in Interlagos instead.

3. Can Red Bull Overcome Persistent Issues?

Red Bull faces two ongoing challenges: poor race starts and radio communication problems. These issues have cost them positions throughout 2026. Driver Isack Hadjar recently mentioned the need to redesign the clutch after losing places at race starts, while Verstappen and Hadjar have suffered from radio glitches since Singapore.

Team boss Laurent Mekies predicts the race start problem will likely continue into 2027. Despite this, Red Bull has shown improvement, overtaking McLaren for third place in the constructors' standings. Verstappen is on a six-race podium streak, including two wins, highlighting the team's progress since early 2026 when they were fourth-best.

4. Will Ferrari Break Its Winless Streak?

Ferrari has been consistent lately, with podium finishes in the last three races and outscoring other teams in the last two, but a win has eluded them for nine races now. They came close in Austin but faltered during Q3, leaving Charles Leclerc and Hamilton further back on the grid and forcing aggressive moves during the race.

Leclerc still finished second, and Ferrari remains optimistic about the SF-26’s competitiveness regardless of track type. The challenge in Mexico City, situated over 2,200 meters above sea level, is unique, but team principal Fred Vasseur believes the package is strong. A Ferrari victory here is possible, hinging on fine margins such as tire management and setup.

5. Sergio Pérez's Milestone and Legacy

Sergio Pérez will reach his 300th Formula 1 race this Sunday, joining an elite group including Fernando Alonso, Rubens Barrichello, Jenson Button, and Michael Schumacher. Beyond numbers, this milestone represents Pérez’s fight against the label of a pay driver, proving himself through talent and perseverance.

The Guadalajara native is the most successful Mexican F1 driver ever, with a runner-up finish in the world championship and a notable return with Cadillac after leaving Red Bull in 2024. While he no longer competes for podiums regularly, just finishing races with Cadillac this season is an achievement.

Pérez’s true impact lies in helping bring F1 back to Mexico and inspiring future generations, guided by his helmet motto: "Never give up."

Upcoming races left: 5
Antonelli's current lead: 123 points over Russell, 124 over Hamilton
Points available this season: 125
Mercedes constructors lead: 133 points over Ferrari
Points available this weekend: 43
Verstappen's podium streak: 6 races
Ferrari win drought: 9 races
Pérez's career races: 300