It’s been a decade since the Mexico City Grand Prix made a long-awaited return to our lives, and we remain hugely grateful that it has done so, with the circuit’s unique layout and party-like atmosphere producing one of the most enjoyable rounds of the season.

In addition to serving up some of the best food we’ll taste all year, the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez regularly produces action-packed races, full of overtaking. There’s often drama at the start of the lap, with drivers reaching around 320km/h down the 1.2km straight on the run up to Turn 1, ahead of several corners that allow for wheel-to-wheel racing.

Ahead of the race this weekend, we’ve gathered the thoughts of Lando, Oscar and Team Principal Andrea Stella. We’ve also spoken with Pato O’Ward, who is set to drive the MCL39 in front of his home crowd during Free Practice 1. You can also read up on what challenges we’ll face this weekend, why we love the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, and get some tips on what you should be wearing.

“Mega excited to be heading to Mexico. It’s a place I love coming to, and the track is fun to drive. Mexico City is full of fans who love the sport, so I’m looking forward to feeling the energy out there.

“After finishing on the podium in Austin, I want to build from that and fight for more points this weekend."

“Heading straight into another race weekend is a good opportunity to get back in the car and work with the team to maximise our performance. I’m confident it can be a productive weekend.

“I’m looking forward and focusing on getting the very best out of myself in Mexico.”

“It’s always great to come home. The atmosphere and fan support in Mexico City is very special. I’m looking forward to getting on track, contributing to the team, helping with the car setup and gathering data. Thank you to Zak and Andrea for the opportunity, I can't wait.”

“After an intense US Grand Prix weekend, we now look ahead to the second half of this busy double header. The unique nature of the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez with its technical and fast sections always makes for good racing. Additionally, the high altitude of Mexico City provides different challenges for the teams.

“We also look forward to welcoming back Pato O’Ward for FP1. He will be taking the wheel of Lando’s MCL39, supporting the team in their setup ahead of another competitive weekend.

“The whole team enjoys racing in front of such passionate fans, so we hope to provide some great racing for them."

Why we love the Mexico City Grand Prix 

The Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez is most famous for one particularly unique section of track. The 12th corner takes drivers through the Foro Sol, an old baseball stadium.

Previously home to the Diablos Rojos del México, the stadium was renovated as part of F1’s return to Mexico City in 2015, with the Mexican baseball outfit having left the Foro Sol in September 2014.

Drivers weave through this technical section of circuit, in between two grandstands, which are packed with passionate F1 fans, generating a vibrant festival-esque atmosphere. The slow-speed nature of this section gives fans plenty of time to ogle the cars at close quarters as they wind their way through the stadium and around Turns 12 to 15.

This particular section is a major part of the reason why the Mexico City Grand Prix has been hailed as one of F1’s best atmospheres since the race returned 10 years ago.

What are the challenges?

The Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez isn’t only well-known for its stadium section, as it presents teams and drivers with one of the more unique challenges on the F1 calendar.

Situated 2,285m above sea level - 1,000 higher than any other circuit we’ll visit this year - the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez is the highest point of the calendar by some way. The high altitude makes it an exhausting lap, with around a quarter less oxygen in the air.

It really takes it out of the drivers, who undertake specialist training in the lead-up to the race to prepare their bodies to perform in the difficult conditions and maximise oxygen intake.

It’s also tough on the cars and has an impact on performance, demanding more from the cars and their power units. Cars are stripped right down to improve cooling and prevent the engine and the brakes from overheating. Larger, high-downforce wings are also installed, counteracting the lack of downforce and grip generated in the thinner air.

The season so far

Lando collected his 15th podium of the season with a second-place finish last time out in Austin, while Oscar finished fifth, the pair both adding valuable points to their Championship challenges. With five rounds remaining, Oscar is first in the Drivers’ standings with 346 points, ahead of Lando on 332, 26 points ahead of third place.

The fit

Basque in the glory of our 10th F1 title by wearing our new Constructors’ World Champions collection. Get your hands on a piece of history with the Constructors’ Champions T-shirt, as worn by the team, or mark the occasion with one of our more unique pieces, like the '10 Times’ or the ‘Born Racers’ T-shirt.