On October 29, 2023, the 24th Mexican City GP will take place at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez. This Mexican race traditionally marks the conclusion of the Formula 1 season, following the United States Grand Prix in Austin, Texas, held a week earlier.
The Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez features seventeen turns and boasts a relatively short circuit with a length of 4.438 kilometers. Designed by Óscar Fernández in 1953, the circuit is situated approximately 2.2 kilometers above sea level. The thin air surrounding the circuit can pose challenges for both drivers and teams. The first sector comprises two long straight sections, where Red Bull often experiences a relative time loss. The second sector typically demonstrates comparable performances between Red Bull and other top teams.
In the final sector, navigating through the stadium area, Red Bull consistently outperforms the competition, establishing the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez as a quintessential Red Bull circuit.
Mexico Grand Prix Resurgence
In August 2011, plans for a revived race were unveiled by Carlos Slim Domit. By August 2013, “high-level sources” suggested the Mexican Grand Prix’s inclusion in the provisional 2014 World Championship calendar. A preliminary draft in early September 2013 slated 9 November 2014 for the Mexican Grand Prix but omitted a circuit, citing the event as “subject to confirmation.”
On 5 December 2013, the FIA released the official 2014 Formula One season calendar, excluding the Mexican Grand Prix. The FIA then announced a postponement to 2015 due to insufficient preparation time for upgrading the somewhat run-down Hermanos Rodríguez circuit to Formula 1 standards. In July 2014, Ecclestone confirmed a 5-year deal for the Hermanos Rodríguez track to host the Mexican Grand Prix from 2015. On 3 December 2014, the FIA published a confirmed 2015 calendar, featuring the Grand Prix of Mexico on 1 November 2015, where German Nico Rosberg won in his Mercedes.
On 14 May 2019, Mexico City Mayor Claudia Sheinbaum declared the Grand Prix of Mexico’s conclusion for 2019, as the MXN $400 million (US$20.865 million) fee would fund the Tren Maya project.
Despite contributing an estimated MXN $8,400 million to the local economy, authorities slated the race for termination.
However, on 8 August, it emerged that the Mexican Grand Prix would continue until 2022, with a name change to “Mexico City Grand Prix” emphasizing government support.
Scheduled as the “Mexico City Grand Prix” on 1 November 2020, the edition faced cancellation on 24 July due to travel restrictions in the Americas, affecting races in North and South America. As a result, the 2021 event marked the inaugural occurrence under the Mexico City Grand Prix banner.
Recent victors of the Mexican Grand Prix include:
| Year | Winner | Team |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Max Verstappen | Red Bull Racing |
| 2021 | Max Verstappen | Red Bull Racing |
| 2019 | Lewis Hamilton | Mercedes |
| 2018 | Max Verstappen | Red Bull Racing |
| 2017 | Max Verstappen | Red Bull Racing |
| 2016 | Lewis Hamilton | Mercedes |
Mexico City Grand Prix Mexico City Grand Prix
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