Five Key Points to Watch at the F1 Mexico Grand Prix
F1 Returns to Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez
The Formula 1 season continues this weekend with the eagerly awaited Mexico Grand Prix, coming just a week after Kimi Antonelli secured his ninth win of 2026 in Austin. The Mercedes driver dominated from pole position, employing a perfect one-stop strategy.
Joining Antonelli on the podium were Charles Leclerc and Max Verstappen, both opting for two pit stops. With only five races left in the season, the Mexico GP could be the stage for crucial title decisions.
1. Kimi Antonelli’s Championship Nearing Completion
It seems nearly impossible for anyone to stop Kimi Antonelli from clinching his first world title this weekend. The 20-year-old leads by 123 points over George Russell and by 124 over Lewis Hamilton. With 125 points still available, Antonelli needs only a ninth-place finish or better to secure the championship.
Even finishing outside the points might suffice if neither Russell nor Hamilton wins the race, which looks unlikely given Antonelli's form. Since round two in China, Antonelli has been dominant, boasting nine wins, 15 podiums, and seven poles, while maintaining strong consistency unlike his teammate Russell.
Antonelli is poised to become the youngest F1 world champion by three years, surpassing Sebastian Vettel’s record set in 2010. This achievement likely marks the start of multiple future titles.
2. The Fight for the Constructors’ Crown
Mercedes will celebrate its first drivers’ title since Hamilton’s seventh crown in 2020 if Antonelli wins. Their last constructors’ championship came in 2021 before a tough few years during the ground-effect era.
Mercedes adapted swiftly to the 2026 regulations, powered by an efficient engine that helped them win the opening six races from pole. Although Ferrari, McLaren, and Red Bull have closed the gap with upgrades and victories, Mercedes remains consistently ahead.
Heading into Mexico, Mercedes leads Ferrari by 133 points, with 215 points still up for grabs. After this weekend, the total will drop to 172. For Mercedes to clinch the constructors' title in Mexico, they need to outscore Ferrari by 39 points — which would mean a 1-2 finish combined with Ferrari scoring minimal points.
The most probable outcome is the constructors’ title being decided next weekend at Interlagos.
3. Red Bull’s Lingering Challenges
Red Bull continues to wrestle with two main issues: poor race starts and radio communication glitches. These problems have persisted despite the team’s late-season improvement.
Driver Isack Hadjar recently suggested a clutch redesign is necessary after losing positions right at the start. Both Hadjar and Verstappen have suffered from slow starts this year.
Radio troubles first appeared in Singapore and resurfaced in Austin, affecting both Verstappen and Hadjar. Team principal Laurent Mekies expects the race start problem to continue into 2027.
Despite these setbacks, Red Bull has moved past McLaren to third in the standings, with Verstappen securing podium finishes in six consecutive races, including two wins. Although a win wasn’t likely in Austin due to tire choices, Verstappen’s ability to finish on the podium shows clear progress.
4. Can Ferrari Break Its Winless Streak in Mexico?
Ferrari has landed on the podium in three straight races and outscored all rivals in the last two, but has now gone nine races without a victory. In Austin, Ferrari looked ready to end this drought but fell short due to mistakes in qualifying.
Team boss Fred Vasseur admitted that Ferrari got most things right except their Q3 laps, pushing Leclerc and Hamilton down the grid. This forced aggressive racing strategies, yet Leclerc still managed second place.
The Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, situated over 2,200 metres above sea level, presents unique challenges, but Vasseur believes Ferrari's package is competitive enough for a win. It could come down to fine margins like tire management and setup. A victory for Ferrari in Mexico is definitely possible.
5. Sergio Pérez’s 300th Race and His Legacy
Sergio Perez will mark his 300th Formula 1 start this Sunday, joining an elite group including Fernando Alonso, Rubens Barrichello, Jenson Button, and Michael Schumacher.
This milestone carries deep meaning, especially for Mexican and Latin American fans. It signifies Perez breaking free from the "pay driver" label, proving his skill beyond sponsorship support.
Across his career, Perez has achieved a world championship runner-up finish, holds the record as Mexico’s most successful F1 driver, and made a notable comeback with Cadillac after leaving Red Bull in 2024.
Though he no longer competes for podiums at his home track, finishing the race in Mexico with Cadillac represents a significant achievement in itself.
More than numbers, Perez’s true impact lies in helping bring Formula 1 back to Mexico and inspiring future generations with his motto: "Never give up," displayed on his helmet.
- Races Completed: 300
- Notable Achievements: World Drivers Championship runner-up, most successful Mexican F1 driver
- Current Team: Cadillac Racing
