Preview for 2021 Mexico City Grand Prix as Formula One commences its final triple-header of this season at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez.
Red Bull’s Max Verstappen comes into this race with a 12 point lead over Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton heading what is a crucial triple-header, which could prove decisive to the title fight, whilst both constructors are still duelling for the constructors’ title so it’s all to play for in Mexico.
Sergio Perez meanwhile is set to participate in his home race for the first time since 2019 after the race was cancelled last season, owing to the Coronavirus pandemic but this is his best shot at victory as he now drives for Red Bull.
There are also further battles down the order so here is a full guide to what to expect this weekend at 2021 Mexico City Grand Prix.
Track Guide
Circuit: Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez
Laps: 71
Race Distance: 305.354km
Tyre Compounds: C2, C3, C4
Schedule
| Date | Session | Time (BST) |
| Friday 5 November | FP1 | 5:30pm |
| Friday 5 November | FP2 | 9:00pm |
| Saturday 6 November | FP3 | 5:00pm |
| Saturday 6 November | Qualifying | 8:00pm |
| Sunday 7 November | Race | 7:00pm |
Seven Key Pointers
- With Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez situated at high altitude, teams and drivers will have to learn how to keep their turbo under control given the increased work rate and less cooling opportunities.
- Strong reliable brakes will be important given the potential high temperatures and limited cooling opportunities due to the thin air.
- Given that the Coronavirus pandemic reduced running in 2020 and most of 2021 so far at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, track evolution will likely be high across the weekend which could prove key in Qualifying.
- Understanding the time difference between the C3 and C4 tyres will be crucial for teams looking to run the former tyre in Q2 as their starting tyre for the race.
- Tyre grip could well prove pivotal in the race after proving decisive in F1’s last visit here in 2019 with Mercedes’ one-stop strategy sealing a win and sixth title for Hamilton.
- Red Bull and Verstappen often go well here so expect them to be competitive throughout but Sergio Perez could be an inside thorn in their side given that this is his home race and he has found form in last two races.
- Avoiding contact in the opening corners of the race will be crucial to keeping to planned race strategies.
Last Time Out
Verstappen claimed pole position in F1’s last visit to Mexico in 2019 but incurred a three-place grid penalty for failing to slow for yellow flags in Q3, which proved costly as he collided with Hamilton on the opening lap before later suffering a tyre puncture which destroyed his race.
Hamilton meanwhile executed a one-stop strategy as he fended off Sebastian Vettel for the win whilst Valtteri Bottas saw off Charles Leclerc for third, which ultimately kept his faint title hopes alive for one further race as Hamilton sealed his sixth title at the next race in USA.
Race Recaps
If missed any of the 17 previous rounds of the 2021 season, please click on the links below to catch up on the missed action.