Hermanos Rodriguez insights: tires, layout, and key stats for the F1 Mexico GP

The Formula 1 journey in America continues with a southern stop for the Mexico City Grand Prix, just a week after the Austin race. As usual, the atmosphere at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez will be electric, fueled by the enthusiasm of fans filling the Foro Solo grandstands, one of the most photogenic points on the calendar. The circuit can also be described as breathtaking because it sits over 2,200 meters above sea level, meaning the thin air has a significant impact on car performance.

The tire compounds

As was the case in Austin last weekend, the Mexican round will feature a step in tire selection between the hardest and the medium compound. While the Medium and Soft are the C4 and C5, as in 2024, the Hard will now be the C2. For the Mexico City circuit, this is an extremely conservative choice, with a notable lap-time delta compared to the other two compounds, and offering less grip.

Last year, the Soft was used only in qualifying and then in the race when drivers aimed to secure the extra point for the fastest lap, but this year’s scenario could be significantly different. The advantage provided by the C4 and C5 could lead teams to target a race primarily using these compounds. However, this strategy carries the risk of a second pit stop due to degradation. Those who opt for the C2 may comfortably manage a longer stint, aiming for a single stop before the finish, although at the cost of reduced performance.

The use of the two softer compounds will be carefully evaluated during the three practice sessions, where teams can run long stints with full fuel loads to assess tire conditions. Historically, graining levels in Mexico are pronounced because the high-altitude thin air reduces the amount of aerodynamic load the cars can generate. On a track that already offers limited grip due to its relatively low usage, tires tend to slide, causing graining. It will also be interesting to see if the greater resistance to this phenomenon offered by the current compounds helps mitigate it, benefiting teams skilled in tire management.

A look back

All drivers except Sergio Pérez followed a one-stop strategy last year, with most starting on Medium tires, while six drivers, all finishing outside the top 11, chose Hard tires for the first stint. The most effective strategy, both theoretically and confirmed on track, proved to be Medium-Hard. No exceptional tire management skills were needed to extend the stint on Mediums, which generally showed only minor graining and very limited degradation. The longest stint on Medium tires was 39 laps by Oscar Piastri, while Hard tires lasted up to 49 laps with Valtteri Bottas.

The track

The circuit measures 4.304 kilometers, with the race scheduled over 71 laps. The Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez features 17 corners, and its main characteristic is the altitude: over 2,200 meters above sea level makes the air very thin. As a result, cars generate less downforce, creating particular challenges for teams in terms of car setup and technical management.

The main straight stretches over 1.2 kilometers, allowing cars to reach very high top speeds, partly due to minimal aerodynamic load. The track surface is very smooth and offers limited grip at the start of the weekend because it is not heavily used. Therefore, over the three days, rubber builds up, which improves lap times. Drivers must also avoid locking the wheels under braking, as tire surface temperatures drop quickly along the two long straights. Due to its unusual layout, this is also the circuit where drivers change gears the least.

Historical highlights

Named in memory of the Rodríguez brothers, the circuit has hosted 24 editions of the Grand Prix, twenty of them under the “Mexican Grand Prix” name starting in 1963, and the last four under the name of the country’s capital. Max Verstappen is the most successful driver at this track, which explains why Red Bull is among the teams with the most wins here, totaling five (2017, 2018, 2021, 2022, and 2023).

To find the driver with the most pole positions, one must go back to the 1960s, when Jim Clark in the Lotus claimed four poles between 1963 and 1967. The last two poles were secured by Ferrari, thanks to Charles Leclerc in 2023 and Carlos Sainz in 2024. Last year’s race was also the last Grand Prix victory for the Spanish driver, now racing for Williams. The Mexican round has been particularly significant for Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton, who celebrated his 2017 and 2018 world titles here and holds the record for the most podiums at this race, with six.

On the Mexican podium

For this race, the Pirelli cap features a bright green base embellished with golden embroidery, reflecting the green of the flag, the gold of triumph, and the red of the capital’s beating heart. It is a special edition produced by Pirelli Design with creative input from designer Denis Dekovic and is already available for fans on Pirelli’s website.