Mexico CityGrand Prix

Built in 1959, the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez circuit is named after two of Mexico’s greatest racing drivers – Ricardo and Pedro Rodríguez. It hosted a non-championship race in 1962, with Formula 1 returning each year for the real deal until 1970. It appeared again from ‘86 until ‘92, before making a big comeback in our lives from 2015.

The circuit is 4.304km in length, and consists of 71 laps over a race distance. It features 17 corners, with many of those being slow speed, and grip can often be low here but track evolution is high.

Located more than 2,200 metres above sea level, Mexico City is the highest venue we visit and the altitude can have big impacts on the cars. The thinner air results in high-downforce set-ups being used and elements on the cars are pushed to their limits to help keep systems running smoothly, such as the turbocharger or cooling structures. Top speeds are also some of the highest across the season, and can exceed that of 350km/h (217mph).

It’s a nail-biting 900-metre run down to Turn 1, with the start of the race often seeing plenty of slipstreaming as they approach the heavy-braking zone. However, the best seat in the house is in the Foro Sol stadium section where you can see the drivers enter Turn 12, swoop round Turns 13 and 14, before escaping through the gap in the structure to complete the final part of the lap.

You’ll also have a first-class seat to see the podium action, with Mexico City embracing an almost carnival-like experience with plenty of pyrotechnics and partying going on after the chequered flag is waved.