Grand Prix Mexico City Preview: 2025

Five races to go. Just 10 points separating P2 to P4 in the Constructors' Championship. We had a poor result in Austin and our rivals gained ground on us. We have the chance to bounce back straight away this weekend in Mexico though. It's going to be a battle all the way to the chequered flag in Abu Dhabi and that is something we are relishing.

Mexico City presents a unique challenge. The high altitude taxes the brakes and power unit significantly, whilst the thin air requires a high downforce set-up. Our Reserve Driver Fred Vesti will be in the car for FP1, completing the second of his rookie sessions this year. He will contribute to our programme, as he does every time he is in the car. The field is tight but we are hopeful of a strong showing, stronger than we managed a few days ago in Texas.

Fred Vesti Talks Mexico

I am extremely happy to get back behind the wheel of W16 for FP1 in Mexico this weekend. 

I have done a lot of work in the simulator these past few months and it is a huge privilege to put this into action on track. 

This new opportunity will give me more experience as a driver but will also enable me to bring new input to the simulator team back in Brackley.

My endurance racing this year has helped me stay sharp and prepare to jump back into the F1 car, and I have been working on my neck for Mexico as we know Formula 1 does not spare the body! 

I want to thank the team for giving me this opportunity and allowing me to build on the progress we have made so far.

Fact File: Mexico City Grand Prix

• The Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez is the third-shortest circuit on the 2025 F1 calendar, at just 4.304 km (behind only Zandvoort and Monaco).
• The track has the longest run from pole position to the first braking zone of any on the 2025 F1 calendar (767m) and almost 10 seconds of the 1.2-kilometre-long straight are taken at full throttle.
• Because of the high altitude and the low air density in Mexico City, the air is incredibly thin (meaning there are fewer molecules around) and transports less energy away from hot systems like the Power Unit and brakes.
• Because you can run a Monaco wing level but experience Monza levels of downforce, top speeds in Mexico are some of the highest of the season, where the cars can achieve 346km/h (215 mph) - or more with a tow.
• The Power Unit is one of the most affected systems on the car by the high altitude, with a decent drop in engine power due to the thin air. The turbocharger makes up for some of the power loss but must work much harder than it would in normal conditions.
• Because of twisty in-field section away from the main pit straight, the circuit sees drivers at full throttle for just 45% of the total lap time, and 60% of the lap distance – some of the lowest numbers of the season.
• The team has three wins at the track – two with Lewis (2016 & 2019) and 2015 with Nico. The latter’ win came on F1’ return to the track for the first time since 1992.
• Test and Reserve Driver Fred Vesti got his first taste of an FP1 rookie session for the team in Mexico in 2023 in W14. Kimi took part in the session last year in W15, his second FP1 after Monza.