Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur believes the Scuderia is moving in the right direction and wants to extend its run of three consecutive podium finishes at the 2026 Mexico City Grand Prix. Following strong results for Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc in recent races, the Maranello team arrives at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez determined to maintain its momentum and strengthen its second place in the Formula 1 Constructors’ Championship.
However, the Mexican circuit presents a very different challenge from Austin. Its extreme altitude will affect both aerodynamic performance and cooling, making car management particularly important throughout the weekend. Fred Vasseur has urged Ferrari to maintain the same concentration and determination that helped the team achieve its recent results, warning that even small differences could prove decisive against its closest rivals.
Ferrari faces a unique challenge at the 2026 Mexico City GP
The Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez stands out for two important characteristics: its altitude of approximately 2,240 metres above sea level, the highest of any circuit on the Formula 1 calendar, and the 830-metre distance between pole position and the braking zone for the first corner.
These characteristics make the Mexico City Grand Prix particularly demanding. The reduced air density affects the way Formula 1 cars generate aerodynamic downforce while also making cooling systems less effective. Ferrari must therefore find a suitable compromise between the car’s aerodynamic configuration and its cooling requirements.
Despite the circuit’s exceptionally long main straight, teams are expected to use aerodynamic configurations approaching maximum downforce, similar to those seen at Monaco. The thinner air means that even a high-downforce set-up produces less aerodynamic load than it would under normal atmospheric conditions.
These challenges could have an important influence on Ferrari’s competitiveness, particularly as the team attempts to build on the progress demonstrated during the United States Grand Prix. The importance of adapting the SF-26 to the conditions has already been highlighted in the assessment of Ferrari’s cooling and grip challenges at the 2026 Mexico GP.
Fred Vasseur wants Ferrari to extend its three-race podium streak
Ferrari arrives in Mexico following three consecutive podium finishes. Lewis Hamilton secured third place at Sepang, while Charles Leclerc finished second in both Singapore and Austin. The sequence represents an encouraging period for the Italian team, which is now looking to maintain its improved form.
The results have also helped Ferrari consolidate second place in the Constructors’ Championship. The Scuderia currently holds a 119-point advantage over Red Bull and McLaren, who are tied for third in the standings. Maintaining that gap will be another important objective as the championship approaches its closing stages.
Fred Vasseur has acknowledged the progress achieved in recent races but insists that Ferrari cannot afford to relax its approach.
“The last few races have shown that we’re heading in the right direction, but we need to keep working with the same focus and determination,” the Ferrari team principal explained ahead of the Mexico City weekend.
His comments reflect the team’s desire to turn its recent consistency into another competitive performance. Charles Leclerc’s second place in Austin was particularly encouraging, with the Monegasque driver subsequently expressing confidence that Ferrari can win again during the 2026 Formula 1 season.
Fred Vasseur explains why Mexico will be different from Austin
While the recent results have strengthened Ferrari’s confidence, Fred Vasseur believes the technical demands of the Mexican Grand Prix will require a different approach from the one adopted in Texas.
“Mexico presents a very different challenge compared to Austin, with the altitude adding another variable to managing the car throughout the weekend. With the leading teams so closely matched, managing these conditions well can really make the difference.”
The Ferrari team principal emphasised the importance of adapting to the circumstances rather than relying solely on the competitiveness demonstrated at previous circuits. With the leading teams separated by narrow margins, successfully managing the effects of altitude could influence the final outcome.
Fred Vasseur also made clear what he expects from the team as it prepares for the next round.
“Our goal is to maintain the positive momentum from the last few races, keep pushing as a team and put ourselves in a position to fight for another strong result.”
For Ferrari, the objective is therefore not simply to reproduce its Austin performance but to demonstrate that its recent improvements can translate into competitive results under different conditions. The team will have to manage the specific aerodynamic and cooling demands of Mexico City while maintaining the operational consistency that has contributed to its recent podium finishes.
Ferrari’s history at the Mexico City Grand Prix
Ferrari has enjoyed several important moments at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, recording three victories at the Mexican circuit. Jacky Ickx secured the first in 1970, followed by Alain Prost in 1990. The Scuderia’s most recent victory came in 2024, when Carlos Sainz claimed the win.
In addition to those three victories, Ferrari has accumulated five pole positions and 15 podium finishes at the venue. These historical results underline the team’s long-standing connection with the Mexican Grand Prix, with previous winners and qualifying achievements forming part of the circuit’s Formula 1 history. Further historical comparisons are available through the Formula 1 circuit records and statistics.
Ferrari also achieved a podium finish in Mexico during the 2025 season. Charles Leclerc finished second, approximately 30 seconds behind race winner Lando Norris, while Lewis Hamilton crossed the line in eighth place, 56 seconds behind his fellow Briton.
Those results provide an additional reference point as Ferrari prepares for the 2026 edition. The team has demonstrated its ability to achieve competitive results at the venue, although this year’s conditions and the characteristics of the SF-26 will determine whether that performance can be repeated.
With three consecutive podium finishes already secured, Ferrari’s immediate objective is to extend that sequence in Mexico while protecting its advantage over Red Bull and McLaren in the Constructors’ Championship. Fred Vasseur believes the Scuderia is moving in the right direction, but the demanding conditions at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez will provide another important test of its progress.
The complete 2026 Mexico City Grand Prix schedule, including practice, qualifying and race times, is available ahead of the weekend.
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