News Summary
- Mexican Grand Prix qualifying takes place today, Saturday, October 31, at 5:00pm Eastern and 2:00pm Pacific in the United States and Canada.
- FP3 starts at 1:30pm Eastern and 10:30am Pacific, giving teams their final opportunity to prepare before qualifying.
- Sunday’s Grand Prix starts at 3:00pm Eastern Standard Time, after the daylight-saving change in most US and Canadian regions.
Formula 1 qualifying for the Mexico City Grand Prix takes place today, Saturday, October 31, with the session starting at 5:00pm Eastern Daylight Time in the United States and eastern Canada. West Coast viewers can follow qualifying from 2:00pm Pacific Daylight Time, after a final practice session earlier in the day.
The race weekend takes place at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, where Andrea Kimi Antonelli has an opportunity to secure the 2026 World Championship.
What time is Mexican GP qualifying today in the US?
| Time zone | FP3 — Saturday | Qualifying — Saturday |
|---|---|---|
| Eastern (EDT) | 1:30pm | 5:00pm |
| Central (CDT) | 12:30pm | 4:00pm |
| Mountain (MDT) | 11:30am | 3:00pm |
| Pacific (PDT) | 10:30am | 2:00pm |
These times also apply to Canadian locations observing the same daylight-saving offsets, including Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver.
Some US and Canadian regions use different time-zone arrangements and should follow their local clock rules.
When does the time change in the United States and Canada?
Most of the United States and Canada return to standard time early on Sunday, November 1.
That means Saturday’s qualifying times use EDT, CDT, MDT and PDT, while Sunday’s race uses standard-time labels in regions that change clocks.
For example, New York switches from EDT to EST and Los Angeles from PDT to PST.
The Mexican Grand Prix starts at 2:00pm local time in Mexico City, which does not change clocks this weekend.
Mexican Grand Prix race time — Sunday
| Location | Race start |
|---|---|
| New York / Toronto | 3:00pm EST |
| Chicago | 2:00pm CST |
| Denver | 1:00pm MST |
| Los Angeles | 12:00pm PST |
| Mexico City | 2:00pm CST |
The complete United States weekend guide provides further viewing information.
Why is qualifying important this weekend?
Antonelli has a 123-point lead over George Russell, with Lewis Hamilton another point behind in third place.
The Mercedes driver could become champion on Sunday if he scores at least two points.
Even a weekend without points could be enough if neither Russell nor Hamilton wins the race.
The championship scenarios following Antonelli’s illness explain the mathematical possibilities.
Qualifying will establish where the title contenders start Sunday’s race.
What makes Mexico City qualifying different?
Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez sits approximately 2,240 metres above sea level.
Reduced air density affects cooling and aerodynamic downforce, presenting unusual setup challenges.
The circuit also features a long straight leading to Turn 1 and a stadium section close to the end of the lap.
Teams use Friday and Saturday practice to assess tyre performance and balance before their final qualifying runs.
The Mexico City FP1 and FP2 schedule for North America covers the opening sessions.
GRANDE PRÊMIO is following every session of the Mexican Grand Prix this weekend, with breaking news, full coverage and real-time updates in its Formula 1 section.
