FORMULA 1 ARRIVES TO MEXICO CITY FOR CRUCIAL LAST PART IN THE CHAMPIONSHIP
As the 2025 Formula 1 season enters its final stretch, the Mexico City Grand Prix at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez stands as an important moment in the championship battle. With only five races remaining, the high-altitude circuit situated over 2,200 meters above sea level, presents unique challenges that could significantly impact the title fight.
Red Bull Racing: The Favourites
Red Bull Racing arrives in Mexico City as the team to beat. Max Verstappen, having won five of the last seven races at this venue, is in exceptional form, reducing his championship deficit to just 40 points, after being 104 down at Zandvoort.
The team’s RB21 chassis is well-suited to the mid-downforce, high-speed demands of the circuit, giving them a significant edge. Verstappen’s recent surge in performance, including victories in three of the last four races, underscores his determination to reclaim the championship. The team’s strong aerodynamic efficiency and exceptional braking stability make them formidable contenders this weekend.
McLaren: Defending Champions Under Pressure
McLaren has already secured the Constructors’ Championship, but the Drivers’ Championship remains fiercely contested. Oscar Piastri leads teammate Lando Norris by 14 points, with Verstappen trailing by 40 points. However, recent performances have highlighted potential vulnerabilities.
At the U.S. Grand Prix, Piastri’s fifth-place finish underscored concerns about car balance, issues that could be present in the mixed section of the Mexican circuit. Team Principal Andrea Stella has acknowledged the challenges ahead, expressing confidence in the team’s ability to manage the remaining races but also recognizing the need for flawless execution to secure the title.
Ferrari: Seeking Redemption
Ferrari continues to search for their first win of the season. Despite consistent performances from Charles Leclerc, the team has faced challenges in converting strong qualifying positions into race results. Recent performances have shown promise, and the team is hopeful that the high-altitude conditions in Mexico City will play to their strengths.
9 rookies will be attending Free Practice 1
As usual, most F1 teams in Mexico use Free Practice 1 to test their rookies and give them opportunities, for not being such a difficult and long track.
9 rookies will be taking part in the first free practice session this weekend as shown on the graphic above made by Autosport.
What is Pirelli bringing to Mexico
At the Hermanos Rodríguez circuit, Pirelli will bring the C2 tire as the Hard, the C4 as the Medium, and the C5 as the Soft. This gives teams more strategy choices, but if they try a one-stop race, they’ll have to use a slower tire for a long part of the race.
The Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez always offers a stunning atmosphere, not just because of the passionate fans filling the famous Foro Sol stadium, but also because the track sits over 2,000 meters above sea level. The thin air there affects how the cars perform in a big way.
In Mexico, just like in Austin, Pirelli has chosen to skip a step between the hardest and middle compounds. The Medium and Soft will again be C4 and C5, but the Hard will now be the C2. That’s quite a cautious choice, the C2 is much slower and gives less grip compared to the other two.
Last year, teams used the Soft tire mostly for qualifying, and in the race, only to chase the fastest lap point. This year could be different. The speed of the C4 and C5 might encourage teams to rely more on those softer compounds, though that might mean they’ll need two pit stops because of higher tire wear. Teams that use the C2 will be able to run longer stints more easily and maybe stop only once, but they’ll be slower overall.
During the three free practice sessions, teams will test the tires carefully, especially with heavy fuel loads, to understand how long they last. Mexico has always had problems with tire “graining” when the tire surface wears unevenly, because the thin air at high altitude reduces downforce, so the cars slide more.
The track also doesn’t offer much grip since it’s not used very often. That makes the sliding worse and increases graining. It will be interesting to see if the newer tire compounds, which resist this problem better, can help teams who are good at managing tire wear.
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