When is the next F1 race after Austin? Mexico City GP 2026 date and start times

News Summary

• The next Formula 1 race after Austin is the Mexico City Grand Prix, scheduled for October 30–November 1, 2026.
• Sunday’s race is scheduled to start at 14:00 local time in Mexico City, equivalent to 15:00 Eastern Time and 17:00 in Brasília.
• Mexico is the second race of Formula 1’s late-season American double-header, with the championship battle entering its final five rounds.

The next Formula 1 race after the United States Grand Prix in Austin is the Mexico City Grand Prix, scheduled for Sunday, November 1, 2026, at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, with the championship moving directly from Texas to the Mexican capital for the second consecutive race weekend in North America.

The event takes place from October 30 to November 1, with Friday practice, Saturday qualifying and Sunday’s Grand Prix. The race is scheduled to begin at 14:00 local time in Mexico City, corresponding to 15:00 Eastern Time in the United States, 17:00 in Brasília and 20:00 GMT in the United Kingdom.

Mexico City will host the 19th round of the 2026 Formula 1 season, leaving four Grands Prix after the Mexican event: São Paulo, Las Vegas, Qatar and Abu Dhabi.

The championship arrives at an important stage, with Mercedes attempting to secure both world titles while Red Bull, Ferrari and McLaren continue fighting for positions in the Constructors’ Championship.

When is the next Formula 1 race after Austin?

Formula 1 returns to the track on Friday, October 30, for the opening practice session of the Mexico City Grand Prix.

The race itself takes place on Sunday, November 1, exactly one week after the United States Grand Prix.

The short interval means teams must transport their cars, equipment and personnel directly from Austin to Mexico City, with limited time to complete repairs and prepare for the different conditions at the next circuit.

The Mexican event is particularly demanding because the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez sits approximately 2,200 metres above sea level, creating one of the most unusual technical challenges on the Formula 1 calendar.

The thinner air reduces aerodynamic downforce and cooling efficiency, requiring teams to make specific adjustments to their cars.

Ferrari, for example, has already prepared additional cooling configurations for Mexico after introducing its final major aerodynamic upgrade of 2026 at Austin.

The changes are intended to help the SF-26 operate effectively under the demanding conditions of the Mexican circuit.

What time is the 2026 Mexico City Grand Prix?

The Mexico City Grand Prix is scheduled to begin at 14:00 Central Standard Time on Sunday, November 1.

Unlike Austin, Mexico City does not observe daylight saving time, while the United States switches from daylight saving to standard time on the morning of the race.

That means Mexico City and Chicago will be operating on the same time zone when the Grand Prix begins.

Times are calculated from the scheduled 14:00 start in Mexico City. The United States and Canada switch to standard time on November 1.

Mexico City GP 2026: Full weekend schedule

The Mexican Grand Prix will follow Formula 1’s traditional weekend format, with three practice sessions, Saturday qualifying and Sunday’s race.

The Friday and Saturday sessions take place before the US daylight-saving change. The Sunday race takes place after the clocks change.

The Mexican weekend is not scheduled to feature a sprint race, giving teams three practice sessions to evaluate their cars before qualifying.

Why is the Mexico City Grand Prix so demanding?

The Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez is one of Formula 1’s most technically unusual circuits because of its altitude.

At approximately 2,200 metres above sea level, the air is significantly less dense than at most other venues on the calendar.

The reduced air density creates several challenges.

First, cars generate less aerodynamic downforce for a given wing configuration, even when teams use high-downforce setups.

Second, the thinner air reduces cooling efficiency, forcing teams to consider larger cooling openings and other bodywork adjustments.

Third, turbocharged power units must compensate for the reduced atmospheric pressure, creating additional demands on their systems.

The circuit also features a long main straight and heavy braking zones, making straight-line performance and braking stability particularly important.

Teams therefore need to balance cooling, aerodynamic efficiency and mechanical grip.

Can Antonelli win the championship in Mexico?

Kimi Antonelli entered the United States Grand Prix with a substantial advantage in the Drivers’ Championship and his first mathematical opportunity to secure the title.

The Italian arrived in Austin needing victory and favourable results from George Russell and Lewis Hamilton to become champion with five rounds remaining.

If the championship remains undecided after the United States Grand Prix, Mexico City will provide another opportunity to settle the title.

The exact scenarios will depend on the results in Austin and the updated championship standings.

With four races remaining after Mexico, a maximum of 100 points will still be available.

Antonelli would therefore need to establish an advantage greater than 100 points, or an unbeatable position on countback, to secure the championship in Mexico.

The Mercedes driver has dominated much of the 2026 season, but Red Bull’s recent recovery and Ferrari’s improvements have increased competition at the front.

Max Verstappen’s strong form at Austin has also brought him closer to Lewis Hamilton’s circuit victory record, while Russell remains determined to recover points during the closing rounds.

The Mexico City Grand Prix could therefore become a decisive event for the Drivers’ Championship, depending on what happens in Texas.

What races remain after Mexico City?

Following the Mexican Grand Prix, four rounds will remain on the 2026 Formula 1 calendar.

The sequence includes two further events in the Americas before the championship moves to the Middle East for its final rounds.

The closing schedule will also influence decisions about power-unit usage, particularly for teams approaching their permitted component allocations.

Formula 1 has already confirmed that race distances will be reduced to 290km in 2027 before returning to 305km in 2028, but the current season continues under the existing Grand Prix distance regulations.

Where to watch the Mexico City Grand Prix

Formula 1’s official broadcasting partners will provide live coverage of the Mexican Grand Prix in the main international markets.

Coverage and subscription packages vary by country.

The international Formula 1 viewing guide for Austin explains the main broadcasting arrangements for the 2026 season, although viewers should check the Mexico-specific listings before the event.