The 2024 Mexican Grand Prix, once again held at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, is located in the southeast of Mexico City. Named after the Rodriguez brothers, Ricardo and Pedro, it is one of the older Formula 1 circuits on the calendar and, of course, the home race of Max Verstappen’s teammate, Sergio Pérez. Max Verstappen has already claimed victories here in 2017, 2018, 2021, 2022, and 2023.

A Circuit Steeped in History

The circuit in the Mexican metropolis was constructed in 1959 in the Magdalena Mixhuca Park. The original design featured the famous Peraltada, a final turn reminiscent of Monza’s Parabolica, but with a banking that allowed for high speeds. In 1962, Ricardo Rodriguez tragically lost his life in this turn, and nine years later, his brother Pedro met a similar fate at the Norisring in Germany.

Key Facts about the Mexican Grand Prix:

• Inauguration: 1962
• First F1 Race: 1963
• Location: Mexico City

Key Details about the Mexican Grand Prix

• Length: 4.304 km
• Number of turns: 14
• Most victories: Max Verstappen (5)
• Lap record: Valtteri Bottas (1.18,741 in 2018)

Recent Winners of the Mexican Grand Prix

• 2023: Max Verstappen
• 2022: Max Verstappen
• 2021: Max Verstappen
• 2019: Lewis Hamilton
• 2018: Max Verstappen

The last Mexican Grand Prix on the old version of the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez circuit was held in 1992. The circuit was criticized by several drivers, including Ayrton Senna, who deemed it too dangerous due to its bumps. Senna himself crashed multiple times in 1991 and 1992, resulting in minor injuries.

When the Mexican Grand Prix returned to the calendar in 2015, it did so with a significant facelift led by Hermann Tilke. The Peraltada was removed and replaced with a slower final sector. This leads the field through the baseball stadium, providing stunning visuals each year. The closing podium ceremony is also held in the stadium, and combined with the Halloween/Dia dos Muertos celebrations, it creates a carnival-like atmosphere.

The Unique Challenges of Mexico’s High-Altitude Circuit

Red Bull has often demonstrated its speed in Mexico, thanks in part to its aerodynamic prowess. The circuit’s high altitude above sea level poses a unique challenge, even for F1 cars, as it makes generating downward pressure difficult. As a result, teams often use the same type of front and rear wings as they do in Monaco, despite reaching Monza-like speeds on the extremely long straight stretch. In the 2016 race, Valtteri Bottas, aided by an open DRS wing and a slipstream, reached a speed of 370 km/h, setting a new absolute speed record in F1.