Formula 1 trades Texas for Mexico City this weekend, taking the championship from Austin’s festival atmosphere to a race with a character all its own. The Mexican Grand Prix draws much of its identity from its surroundings: a sprawling capital, passionate grandstands and a place on the calendar alongside the country’s Día de Muertos celebrations. For Audi Revolut F1 Team, it is the second consecutive race weekend and another opportunity to turn competitive midfield pace into points.
The Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez provides one of the season’s most recognizable settings, particularly where the circuit enters the former baseball stadium. Here, banks of spectators surround the slow-speed stadium section, bringing the crowd unusually close to the action and creating an atmosphere that carries through to the podium ceremony. Beyond the circuit, Mexico City’s food, neighborhoods and cultural traditions give the weekend an appeal that extends well beyond the racing.
At more than 2,200 meters above sea level, the venue also presents challenges that shape the entire event. Thin air changes how the cars generate downforce and sheds heat less effectively, putting cooling and aerodynamic preparation under particular scrutiny. Those demands add another variable for an Audi team that left Austin encouraged by its race pace but without points, after Nico Hülkenberg’s anti-stall intervention at the start and Gabriel Bortoleto’s substantial grid penalty compromised their afternoons.
Also happening on this weekend, Driver Development Programme member Freddie Slater takes over Bortoleto’s car for Free Practice 1, making his first appearance in an official Formula 1 race weekend. Bortoleto then resumes a weekend at a venue where he scored points on his debut last year, while Hülkenberg returns to an event he counts among his favorites. With the midfield margins remaining narrow, Audi’s task is to combine that familiarity and its recent pace with the clean execution needed to reach the top ten.
SCHEDULE
| DAY/DATE | ACTIVITY | TRACK TIME | CET | EST |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fri 23 Oct | Practice 1 | 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM | 19:30-21:30 | 2:30 PM – 3:30 PM |
| Fri 23 Oct | Practice 2 | 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM | 23:00-24:00 | 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM |
| Sat 24 Oct | Practice 3 | 11:30 PM – 12:30 PM | 19:30-21:30 | 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM |
| Sat 24 Oct | Qualifying | 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM | 23:00-24:00 | 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM |
| Sun 25 Oct | Grand Prix | 2:00 PM | 22:00 | 6:00 PM |
RACE INFORMATION
AUDI REVOLUT F1 | FORMULA 1 SERIES | OFFICIAL MEXICO CITY GP WEBSITE | GRAND PRIX EVENTS | MEXICO GP SMART MAP
CIRCUIT
AUTODRÓMO HERMANOS RODRIGUEZ
The Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez is a 4.304-kilometer, 17-turn circuit that combines long straights, heavy braking zones and a flowing middle sector before finishing inside a former baseball stadium. The lap begins with a long run down the main straight into Turn 1, a right-hander that leads immediately into the left-right sequence of Turns 2 and 3. This opening complex rewards precision under braking, while a clean exit from Turn 3 is essential for carrying speed onto the next straight toward Turn 4.
Another heavy braking zone introduces the tighter left-right combination of Turns 4 and 5, followed by the prolonged right-hander at Turn 6. The circuit then changes character through the linked Esses of Turns 7–11, where quick changes of direction place greater emphasis on balance, responsiveness and maintaining momentum. The exit from Turn 11 feeds onto another straight, giving drivers a brief opportunity to accelerate before braking for the stadium entrance.
Turn 12 takes the cars right into the stadium section, where the pace drops sharply through a compact sequence of corners surrounded by steep grandstands. This slower detour replaces part of the original circuit’s sweeping Peraltada, although the lap still finishes through its remaining right-hand arc at Turn 17. Traction through the final corners is particularly important because the exit determines a driver’s speed along the main straight and into the next lap’s principal overtaking opportunity.
PIRELLI TIRE PREVIEW
Pirelli brings its softest compound trio to Mexico City: C3 as Hard, C4 as Medium and C5 as Soft. The selection replaces last year’s C2 Hard, which proved less competitive than the softer options. Extensive resurfacing adds uncertainty, with new asphalt from Turns 7–16 and from Turn 16 through to Turn 1, leaving the opening sector largely unchanged.
Mexico traditionally produces low tire wear, but reduced downforce at altitude encourages sliding and potential graining. The smoother new surface could amplify that concern, while grip should improve considerably as the initially dirty track cleans up. Rear-tire management will be particularly important, alongside avoiding lock-ups under heavy braking into Turn 1.
Pirelli considers a one-stop race plausible, with compound choice potentially determined more by driver confidence than tire life. The Soft could be a viable race tire as well as the qualifying choice, offering additional grip against the Hard’s greater consistency. Last year, most drivers started on Softs and strategies were split between one and two stops, with low degradation also making the Soft effective for final stints.
ADIDAS MERCH PREVIEW
The Mexico line from adidas blends the brand’s Adilenium Season 3 theme of mixing early 2000s football streetwear cues with modern motorsport along with a nod to the massive Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebration in Mexico City that happens to coincide with this year’s race.
The line includes five SKUs:
Audi Revolut Forrmula One Team Mexico Driver Cap
Audi Revolut F1 Team Mexico Tee I
Audi Revolut F1 team Mexico Tee II
Audi Revolut F1 Team Mexico Tee I for Kids
Audi Revolut F1 Team Mexico Tee II for Kids
TEAM STATEMENT: BEAT ZEHNDER
Audi Revolut F1 Team places on record its sincere thanks to Beat Zehnder, who will leave the team at the end of December 2026 following the restructuring of its operations ahead of the 2027 season. Beat has been a mentor to hundreds of team members and drivers who have passed through Hinwil over the years.
Beat joined Sauber Motorsport in 1988 and was part of the team’s sportscar programme that won the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the World Sportscar Championship in 1989 and 1990, before moving into Formula 1 with the team in 1993. He served as Team Manager from 1994, was appointed to the Management Committee in 2018 and most recently led the team’s Heritage activities as Director Signature Programs & Operations. During his tenure he enjoyed both the highs and lows of working in such a demanding sport, never losing his professionalism, his relentless competitive streak and desire to win.
He steps away with 36 World Sportscar Championship races and 601 consecutive Formula One races to his name. We thank him for 39 years of outstanding service and wish him all the very best for the future.
FREDDIE SLATER MAKES FP1 DEBUT WITH AUDI REVOLUT F1 TEAM IN MEXICO & BRAZIL
Audi Driver Development Programme driver, Freddie Slater, will make his Formula One weekend debut with Audi Revolut F1 Team, taking part in the first Free Practice sessions at the Mexico City and São Paulo Grands Prix.
Earlier this year, Slater became the first driver to be signed to the programme, which is supporting his progression through the junior ranks towards the pinnacle of motorsport. Giving the 18-year-old the opportunity to drive the R26 during two Grand Prix weekends is an important milestone for Slater and the Audi Driver Development Programme.
The young Briton comes off a strong rookie Formula 3 campaign, having finished runner-up in the championship with Trident Motorsport. With eight podiums in eight consecutive weekends, three pole positions and one Feature Race win, Slater remained in the title fight until the Championship finale in Madrid in September. He will step up to Formula 2 with Invicta Racing in 2027, with the FP1 sessions in Mexico and Brazil adding valuable on-track experience to his development.
Slater’s appearances will also reinforce the team’s commitment to supporting young drivers, providing them with valuable opportunities to gain experience in Formula One, in line with FIA regulations.
Allan McNish, Racing Director & Director of the Audi Driver Development Programme
“We have seen Freddie making great progress throughout recent years, both on and off the track; it is the right time for Freddie to step-up. These appearances in Mexico and Brazil will give him valuable experience of a Formula One race weekend, and another chance to continue his development before he steps up to Formula 2 next season. We are looking forward to seeing him in the R26 and supporting him through these two important FP1 sessions.”
Freddie Slater, driver
“Getting behind the wheel of a Formula One car at a Grand Prix weekend is a big moment for me and something I’ve been dreaming of since I was a kid. I’ve learned a lot this year, and these Free Practice outings with Audi Revolut F1 Team will be another opportunity to keep gaining on-track experience. Being part of the Audi Driver Development Programme has already given me some incredible opportunities, and I am grateful for their trust and support. I’m really looking forward to getting out on track: my focus will be on doing the best job I can, helping the team with its programme and taking as many learnings as possible from both sessions.”
TEAM RACE PREVIEW
Audi Revolut F1 Team prepares for a second weekend of action in a row as the Mexican Grand Prix promises to deliver a fiesta both on and off the track. The Autódromo Hermanos Rodriguez is a circuit like no other: it retains an old-school feeling, sharing most of the layout with that originally raced by the likes of Ayrton Senna and Nigel Mansell, and adds the unique feature of thin air, owing to Mexico City’s altitude – a challenge for both aerodynamics and cooling.
This is a track with a tradition of delivering spectacular, hard-fought events and this year’s race has all the ingredients to do so again, as Nico Hulkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto aim to return the team to the points. The event also marks a special occasion for Audi Driver Development Programme inductee, Freddie Slater, who will compete during Free Practice 1 on Friday, standing in for Gabriel as he makes his debut during an official Formula One race weekend.
TEAM QUOTES
Allan McNish, Racing Director
“Austin was another example of just how close the competition is in the midfield. Both drivers delivered strong performances on Sunday, but various setbacks, whether it was Nico’s lost positions at the start or Gabriel’s substantial grid penalty, made the difference between bringing home the points and finishing just outside the top ten. It was frustrating not to come away with a reward for the team’s efforts on a weekend where we looked competitive, but there were positives to take from the event nonetheless.
“Mexico presents a different challenge, with the altitude and the unique characteristics of the circuit adding another element for the teams to manage. We know that in such a competitive midfield, even the smallest details can make a significant difference to the final result. Our focus will be on putting together a clean weekend, executing well across every session and making the most of the opportunities that come our way. We have shown that we can fight for points, and that’s what we’ll be aiming to do again this weekend.”
Nico Hülkenberg, Car 27
“Austin was a pretty solid weekend overall, even if the race didn’t quite go our way after losing some ground at the start. We had the pace to fight with the cars around us, but in such a tight midfield, recovering lost ground is never easy. We’ll take the lessons from that and will try to put together a cleaner weekend in Mexico.
“I’ve made no secret of how much I like the races in this triple header: Mexico City is always a great place to race and one of the weekends I really enjoy. The culture is vibrant, the fans are incredibly passionate and the atmosphere in the stadium section has been something special ever since we came back here in 2015. The altitude also makes it a unique challenge for the cars and drivers, so there’s plenty to get on top of.“
Gabriel Bortoleto, Car 5
“There were some positives to take from Austin last weekend. The car felt good, we had decent pace and I enjoyed being able to fight with other cars and make some good overtakes. I have good memories of my first Mexican Grand Prix last year, especially fighting my way through the field to finish in the points. I also really enjoyed the city and the warm welcome from the fans: it’s a special atmosphere and a fun weekend to be part of. We know how close the midfield is, but hopefully we can build on the positives from Austin and fight for a good result here.”
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