Not for the first time in 2024, we’re about to hit new heights this weekend - but for very different reasons, as we head to the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, the highest point of the F1 calendar.  

The Mexico City Grand Prix is a fiesta of fun, food and fantastic views, with the circuit sitting up in the clouds, 2,285m above sea level. Whilst in Mexico, we’ll enjoy some of the season’s most stunning sunsets, in a city full of history on and off the racing track.

To explain what is so unique about this weekend’s Grand Prix, we’ve drafted in special guest Pato O’Ward, who will be taking part in FP1 on Friday. Along with Lando, Oscar and Team Principal Andrea Stella, Pato will be guiding us through this weekend’s race in his home country. We’ve also previewed the circuit, and typed up some tips on what to wear and another F1 fact to impress your friends with.  

“I really enjoy coming to Mexico. The fans are passionate, and the vibe is always fun. It's an interesting challenge for us as drivers with the high altitude, it's something we train for throughout the year and these added challenges are always what makes it even more fun.

“Just missing out on the podium in Austin was a tricky one, but I look forward to going again this weekend in Mexico. We’ll once again be giving it our all and aiming to finish strongly.”

“I can’t wait to go racing in Mexico. We’ve got five races left this season and I am determined to finish the season strongly and round off the year with more success. There’s a lot that I want to achieve before the end of the season.

“We got strong points in Austin, but we want to improve on that in Mexico City. We’re all extremely motivated to build momentum across this triple header.”

“I’m so excited to be driving in Free Practice 1 during the Mexico City Grand Prix weekend. It doesn’t get better than driving in front of a home crowd in a Formula 1 car. I can’t wait to see what this circuit is all about and do my part in helping the team continue their championship battles. 

“I’m very grateful to be given this opportunity again. I can’t thank Zak, Andrea and the whole team enough for making this dream come true.” 

“We now immediately shift focus to the Mexico City Grand Prix, one many look forward to as it’s one of the most vibrant cities we race in. The Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez circuit is tough for drivers because it is 2km above sea level, and the high altitude requires specific set ups and preparation, which the team is ready for.

“With only five races to go, every single point is valuable. The field is extremely tight, but we’ll continue to challenge our competitors and bring as many points back to the team as we can.”

Track insights

The Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez is great for overtaking opportunities, which really gets the passionate Mexican crowd on their feet.  

The action begins at the first turn - a heavy braking zone that directly follows a 1.2km straight, which can see drivers reach 320km/h - and continues through the next few corners. After the slipstream-friendly straight has bunched up the field, the first three turns take drivers right, left and then right again before another heavy braking zone at Turn 4, giving them a second overtaking opportunity.  

The circuit’s most famous section arrives at Turn 12, when the drivers weave through an old baseball stadium, the Foro Sol, previously home to the Diablos Rojos del México. What this section lacks in overtaking opportunities, it more than makes up for in the party atmosphere created by the surrounding fans.  

But neither of these provides as big a challenge for the drivers as the circuit’s altitude. At 2,285m above sea level, the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez is the highest point of the calendar by some distance. The lack of oxygen in the air, around a quarter less due to the high altitude, makes for an exhausting 71 laps. 

The air is also less dense, and this impacts aerodynamics - with less downforce and grip being generated - and cooling, with the thinner air not able to cool down the car as quickly.

The season so far

We narrowly missed out on another double podium as Lando and Oscar finished fourth and fifth, respectively, last time out in the United States. Lando did, however, secure our first Pole position in Austin since 2007, as he topped Qualifying for the sixth time in 10 races, while Oscar remains the top scorer on the grid in the last nine Grands Prix. With five races to go, we remain top of the Constructors’ Championship with 544 points, 40 ahead of second place.

F1 translations: Lift and coast

F1 is full of specialist slang and complicated jargon that can stump even the most avid of fans, which is why we’ll be explaining common F1 terminology ahead of each grand prix this season. This week, it’s lift and coast.

As tricky F1 terminology goes, this one is actually among the easier to explain and understand. The lift and coast technique, often referred to as LiCo, is deployed when a driver needs to conserve fuel. It was especially common during the pre-Hybrid era days when cars ran solely on fuel, but remains prevalent in modern F1.  

The lift and coast technique simple refers to when a driver lifts their foot off the throttle earlier than they normally would when entering a corner, meaning that they ‘coast’ into it and slow gradually, rather than braking heavily. By coming off the throttle earlier, drivers therefore save on fuel consumption.  

It is most noticeably used at circuits with more corners, such as at this weekend’s Mexico City Grand Prix, which has 17 spread throughout a short 4.304km circuit. This is because cars spend more time braking and accelerating, which uses more fuel.  

As well as saving fuel, lift and coast can also help to cool down the car and save on tyre wear, both of which will be concerns in Mexico City this weekend due to the high altitude.   

F1 icebreaker

Stuck for conversation with your F1-loving friends? Spark up a discussion with our F1 icebreaker…

The Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez was opened in 1962 in the Magdalena Mixhuca Sports City, which hosted several Olympic events during the 1968 Summer Olympics.

The fit: Are you ready for a fiesta?

Get ready to fiesta with New Era’s limited edition Mexico City cap. The embroidery 9FIFTY special will add a touch of spice to any outfit this weekend, whether you’re looking to keep the sun from your eyes in the paddock or level up an evening outfit for a night of tacos, fajitas and margaritas in the vibrant Mexico City.