News Summary
- The 2026 Mexico City Grand Prix starts at 1:30 AM IST on Monday, November 2, for Formula 1 fans in India.
- Lewis Hamilton starts from pole position for Ferrari, ahead of George Russell and Charles Leclerc.
- Andrea Kimi Antonelli starts fourth and needs only ninth place to become world champion, potentially making Formula 1 history overnight.
Formula 1 fans in India will need to stay awake into the early hours of Monday (November 2) to watch the 2026 Mexico City Grand Prix, which starts at 1:30 AM Indian Standard Time. Lewis Hamilton will lead the field from pole position for Ferrari, while Mercedes driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli could secure his first Formula 1 World Championship during the 71-lap race.
The race takes place on Sunday afternoon in Mexico City, but the time difference means viewers across India will watch the action after midnight.
What time does the Mexican GP start in India?
The Mexican Grand Prix begins at 1:30 AM IST on Monday, November 2, corresponding to 2 PM local time on Sunday in Mexico City.
| Session | Date in India | Time (IST) |
|---|---|---|
| Mexican GP race | Monday, November 2 | 1:30 AM |
India uses a single national time zone and does not observe daylight saving time, so the start time is the same in New Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad and Kolkata.
The race is scheduled for 71 laps at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez.
Hamilton starts from pole as Antonelli targets historic championship
Hamilton secured his first Ferrari Grand Prix pole position on Saturday, beating Russell by just 0.009s.
The British driver recorded 1:16.514, ending a wait of more than three years since his previous pole at the 2023 Hungarian Grand Prix.
Hamilton’s achievement also made him one of the oldest polesitters in Formula 1 history.
Russell will start alongside Hamilton, with Charles Leclerc third and Antonelli fourth after Max Verstappen’s one-place grid penalty.
Antonelli needs ninth place or better to secure the 2026 world championship, regardless of the results of his closest rivals.
The Italian could become the youngest world champion in Formula 1 history, surpassing Sebastian Vettel’s record from 2010.
The complete championship calculations explain how Antonelli could also win the title with a lower finishing position.
Where to watch the Mexican F1 Grand Prix in India
Indian viewers can follow the race through the officially licensed Formula 1 television and streaming services available in the country.
Broadcast packages and streaming availability depend on the provider and subscription.
Fans planning to watch live should check their provider’s schedule for 1:30 AM IST on Monday, rather than looking for a Sunday evening broadcast.
The full Mexican Grand Prix starting grid is also available, including the penalties imposed during the weekend. Any late FIA changes must be incorporated before the race.
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.
