Five Key Points to Watch at the F1 Mexico Grand Prix

Formula 1 heads to Mexico City this weekend for the popular Mexico Grand Prix, just a week after Kimi Antonelli dominated in Austin. The Mercedes driver secured his ninth win of the 2026 season by controlling the race from pole position with a smart one-stop strategy.

Antonelli shared the podium in Austin with Charles Leclerc and Max Verstappen, both on two-stop strategies. With only five races left in the season, the championship battles are nearing their climax, and both titles could be decided at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez.

1. Antonelli's World Championship Nears

It seems more likely that Pastor Maldonado will return to F1 before Antonelli fails to secure the world title this weekend. At just 20 years old, Antonelli has outpaced rivals by a huge margin, holding leads of 123 and 124 points over George Russell and Lewis Hamilton respectively.

With 125 points still up for grabs (if all scheduled Middle Eastern races proceed), Antonelli only needs to finish ninth or better to clinch his first championship. Even finishing outside the points might suffice if neither Russell nor Hamilton wins the race, which looks improbable given Antonelli’s form.

"This weekend should mark Antonelli's coronation," said Ed Hardy. "Since round two in China, he has been exceptional, achieving nine wins, 15 podiums, and seven poles without major mistakes in the W17, while Russell faced ongoing challenges."

If successful, Antonelli will become the youngest F1 world champion by three years, breaking Sebastian Vettel's record from 2010, with more titles likely ahead.

2. The Fight for the Constructors’ Crown

Antonelli’s success would give Mercedes its first drivers' title since Hamilton’s seventh in 2020. Their constructors’ championship drought is shorter but still notable, last won in 2021 before four difficult years adapting to ground-effect regulations.

Mercedes started strong in 2026, dominating early with six straight wins from pole thanks to an efficient power unit. Although Ferrari, McLaren, and Red Bull have closed the gap with upgrades and victories, Mercedes remains comfortably ahead.

• Mercedes points lead: 133 points ahead of Ferrari before Mexico
• Points remaining: 215 (will drop to 172 after this weekend)
• Points available in Mexico: 43

While Mercedes could technically wrap up the constructors' title in Mexico by outscoring Ferrari by 39 points (which means finishing first and second or first and third, while Ferrari scores very little), it's more probable the championship will be sealed next weekend in Interlagos.

3. Red Bull’s Lingering Problems

Red Bull has made a late-season comeback but still struggles with two main issues: poor race starts and technical glitches with radio communication. Motorsport.com’s Ronald Vording has reported extensively on these problems.

The clutch system has been a particular concern, as driver Isack Hadjar mentioned after Austin, where both he and teammate Verstappen lost places at the start. Radio issues first appeared in Singapore and continued through COTA, affecting Verstappen and Hadjar.

Team boss Laurent Mekies predicts these problems will persist into 2027 due to their complexity. Still, the overall mood at Red Bull is positive, having overtaken McLaren to claim third in the championship. Verstappen is on a six-race podium streak, including two victories.

In Austin, victory was unlikely given Verstappen’s tire disadvantage, but managing a podium despite setbacks shows the team's progress from earlier in 2026, when they were firmly fourth.

4. Can Ferrari Break Its Winless Streak?

Ferrari has landed on the podium at the last three races and outscored every other team in the past two, yet their win drought now stands at nine races. They seemed set to end it in Austin but fell short.

Team principal Fred Vasseur noted Ferrari got everything right except in Q3 qualifying laps, which forced Charles Leclerc and Hamilton to start further back and fight through the field during the race. Leclerc still finished second, leaving Ferrari encouraged.

At over 2,200 meters above sea level, the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez poses unique challenges, but Vasseur believes the SF-26 is competitive regardless of track type. The difference between winning and losing may come down to tire management and setup details.

A Ferrari win in Mexico is definitely possible.

5. Sergio Pérez Hits 300 Races

Sergio Pérez will reach the milestone of 300 Formula 1 races this Sunday, joining an elite group of drivers including Fernando Alonso, Rubens Barrichello, Jenson Button, and Michael Schumacher.

This milestone holds special meaning beyond numbers, especially for Mexicans and Latin Americans. Pérez has long fought against the pay-driver stereotype, proving his talent with a runner-up finish in the world drivers' championship and becoming Mexico’s most successful F1 driver ever.

After a challenging departure from Red Bull at the end of 2024, Pérez made a strong comeback with Cadillac Racing, forcing many critics to reconsider their opinions.

Though podium battles in Mexico are unlikely for Pérez this year, simply finishing the race represents a personal triumph. His true legacy lies in helping bring Formula 1 back to Mexico and inspiring future generations with his motto: "Never give up."

• Upcoming contract: Pérez signed with Cadillac F1 through 2029