Key Facts
- Stance: Mexico City’s Grand Prix organisers say they do not want to alternate years with another venue.
- Contract: The race is contracted through 2028; no renewal has been signed.
- Talks: Organisers expect talks with Formula 1 at the end of 2026 or early 2027.
- Race: Sunday, November 1, 3:00 p.m. ET (2:00 p.m. Mexico City).
- Impact: A business chamber forecasts US$1.2 billion (22.228 billion pesos) in economic activity.
The organisers of Formula 1’s race in Mexico City say they want it every year, not every other year, as our Mexico City Grand Prix updates page tracks. Director general Federico González Compeán said on October 21 that alternating seasons would complicate the logistics of an operation that works all year.
The current contract guarantees the race through 2028, and talks on a longer deal are expected at the end of 2026 or in early 2027. The next race is on Sunday, November 1, at 3:00 p.m. ET (2:00 p.m. Mexico City).
In plain English
Formula 1 sells each race slot to a host city under a contract. Some European circuits now share a slot and race in alternate years, and Mexico City wants to avoid that.
Why Mexico Rejects a Shared Slot
González Compeán told Mexican media that racing only every second year would complicate the logistics of the event. He described an organisation that works throughout the year.
He said organisers expect to open talks with Stefano Domenicali, Formula 1’s chief executive, around the end of this year or in early 2027. He said he is confident about renewal but stressed that the decision will come later.
Formula 1 already uses rotation elsewhere. Barcelona and Spa-Francorchamps are due to share a slot from 2028 to 2032, with Barcelona hosting in even years and Spa in odd years.
New Rivals for Calendar Space
Pressure on the calendar is growing. Rwanda has signed a deal to bring Formula 1 back to Africa from the early 2030s, which adds to competition for a limited number of dates.
Mexico is also adding to its own programme. Formula 2, the main support series, is due to race in Mexico City for the first time in October 2027.
Race Weekend and Money
The 2026 Mexico City Grand Prix is round 19 of the season and runs from Friday, October 30, to Sunday, November 1. Qualifying is on Saturday, October 31, at 5:00 p.m. ET (3:00 p.m. Mexico City), and the race starts a day later at 3:00 p.m. ET (2:00 p.m.).
The gap between the two cities shrinks from two hours to one on race day because US clocks go back on November 1. Mexico does not change its clocks.
Canaco-CDMX, the capital’s chamber of commerce, estimates the race will generate 22.228 billion pesos (about US$1.2 billion at 18.65 pesos per dollar, RT market data, October 24) in economic activity. That is about 6.5% more than in 2025, and it is a forecast, not an audited result.
The Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez is a 4.304-kilometre circuit more than 2 kilometres above sea level. Formula 1 lists its first Grand Prix there as 1963, and the race returned to the calendar in 2015.
What It Means for You
For fans in the United States, a guaranteed annual slot means a predictable date for planning a trip to Mexico City. Nothing beyond 2028 is secure yet.
The race follows the United States Grand Prix in Austin, held October 23 to 25, and precedes the Brazilian round on November 6 to 8.
What Is Not Known
No renewal has been signed, and no date for a meeting with Domenicali has been announced. The length of any new deal, the fee and any public support from Mexico City have not been disclosed.
Formula 1 has not said whether it would ask Mexico City to share its slot. The economic figure is the chamber’s own projection.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Mexico City want to alternate years with another race?
No. Director general Federico González Compeán said the logistics would be complicated for an event that works all year. Organisers want a full-time extension.
How long is the current contract?
The race is contracted through 2028. Talks on a longer deal are expected at the end of 2026 or in early 2027.
When is the 2026 Mexico City Grand Prix?
The weekend runs from Friday, October 30, to Sunday, November 1, 2026. The race starts at 3:00 p.m. ET, which is 2:00 p.m. Mexico City time.
Which circuits already alternate years?
Barcelona and Spa-Francorchamps are due to share one slot from 2028 to 2032. Barcelona hosts in even years and Spa in odd years.
Sources: Publimetro México · Formula 1: Mexico City Grand Prix · Excélsior (Canaco estimate) · Fox Sports México
This article was produced by The Rio Times’ automated newsroom system. How we use AI · Report an error · Editorial responsibility: Matthias Camenzind, Editor-in-Chief