No track on the Formula One calendar matches the heights of the Mexico City Grand Prix.
That’s because the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, on the outskirts of Mexico’s highlands capital city, is just over two kilometers (nearly 1.5 miles) above sea level. The next closest F1 track in terms of elevation is Brazil’s Autódromo José Carlos Pace (Interlagos), which sits at 800 meters (just under 0.5 miles).
The change in altitude brings more obstacles than just thinner air; it also impacts engine power, cooling, and downforce, to name a few.
F1 returned to the track in 2015 after extensive renovations. Since then, it’s become one to look forward to for the on-track spectacle (the run down to Turn 1 is always fun) and the passion from the Mexican racing fans.
Max Verstappen has the most wins here with five, including the last three.
Key facts include:
- Circuit length: 4.304 km (2.674 miles)
- Number of laps: 71
- Race distance: 305.354 km (189.738 miles)
- Lap record: 1:17.774 (Valtteri Bottas, 2021)
- First GP: 1963
For more the track, I recommend reading Madeline Coleman’s circuit breakdown — just click on the link below.
