MEXICO CITY, November 1, 2026 — Lewis Hamilton will start the 2026 Formula 1 Mexico City Grand Prix from pole position for Ferrari on Sunday, while Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli could secure his first World Drivers’ Championship in a race carrying major implications for the title battle.
The 71-lap contest at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez begins at 3 p.m. ET (2 p.m. local time). Hamilton shares the front row with George Russell, while Charles Leclerc starts third and championship leader Antonelli fourth. American viewers can stream the race on Apple TV, with a free-trial option for eligible new subscribers.
Latest Mexico City Grand Prix 2026 Updates
Pre-race update, November 1: Hamilton secured his first Ferrari pole with a 1:16.514 qualifying lap, beating Russell by just 0.009 seconds. Leclerc qualified third, giving Ferrari two cars among the top three starters.
Max Verstappen drops from fourth to fifth following a one-place grid penalty, promoting Antonelli. Haas has also replaced Esteban Ocon with Ryo Hirakawa, who starts 18th.
F1 Mexico City Grand Prix Start Time
| Country | Race start |
|---|---|
| United States (Eastern) | Nov. 1, 3 p.m. EST |
| United States (Pacific) | Nov. 1, 12 p.m. PST |
| Mexico City | Nov. 1, 2 p.m. CST |
| United Kingdom | Nov. 1, 8 p.m. GMT |
| India | Nov. 2, 1:30 a.m. IST |
| Australia (Sydney) | Nov. 2, 7 a.m. AEDT |
US daylight saving time ends November 1, so viewers should use standard-time conversions when checking the start.
How to Watch Mexico City Grand Prix Live for Free
United States: Apple TV streams Formula 1 coverage, including Sunday’s race. Eligible new subscribers can access a seven-day free trial. The advertised regular subscription costs $14.99 monthly, and automatic renewal terms may apply.
United Kingdom: Sky Sports F1 and NOW carry live coverage, while Channel 4 offers highlights.
India: FanCode provides Formula 1 streaming. Australian viewers can watch through Fox Sports, Foxtel or Kayo, while Canadian coverage is available through TSN and RDS.
Mexican viewers can check Fox Sports México and locally licensed services. F1 TV availability varies by country. A free Apple TV trial does not guarantee free viewing outside the United States.
Official F1 Mexico City Grand Prix 2026 Starting Grid
The 22-driver starting order, including penalties applied after qualifying, is listed below.
| Pos. | Driver | Team |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lewis Hamilton | Ferrari |
| 2 | George Russell | Mercedes |
| 3 | Charles Leclerc | Ferrari |
| 4 | Kimi Antonelli | Mercedes |
| 5 | Max Verstappen | Red Bull |
| 6 | Lando Norris | McLaren |
| 7 | Isack Hadjar | Red Bull |
| 8 | Arvid Lindblad | Racing Bulls |
| 9 | Pierre Gasly | Alpine |
| 10 | Nico Hülkenberg | Audi |
| 11 | Franco Colapinto | Alpine |
| 12 | Oscar Piastri | McLaren |
| 13 | Gabriel Bortoleto | Audi |
| 14 | Oliver Bearman | Haas |
| 15 | Carlos Sainz | Williams |
| 16 | Alexander Albon | Williams |
| 17 | Fernando Alonso | Aston Martin |
| 18 | Ryo Hirakawa | Haas |
| 19 | Lance Stroll | Aston Martin |
| 20 | Sergio Pérez | Cadillac |
| 21 | Valtteri Bottas | Cadillac |
| 22 | Liam Lawson | Racing Bulls |
Bottas received substantial power-unit component penalties. Lawson was disqualified from qualifying over an MGU-K technical infringement but was permitted to race.
Antonelli’s Championship Title Scenario
Antonelli leads the Drivers’ Championship with 365 points, ahead of Russell (242), Hamilton (241), Verstappen (236) and Leclerc (233).
A ninth-place finish or better would guarantee Antonelli the championship, regardless of Russell’s or Hamilton’s results. The 20-year-old could become Formula 1’s youngest world champion, surpassing Sebastian Vettel’s record.
Mercedes also leads the Constructors’ Championship with 607 points, followed by Ferrari (474), Red Bull and McLaren (355 each), and Racing Bulls (102).
Mercedes’ campaign began strongly with George Russell’s Australian Grand Prix victory and a Mercedes one-two finish.
Haas Driver Change and Circuit Challenges
Haas’s decision to replace Ocon with Hirakawa followed reported disagreements involving team management. Ocon denied that any confrontation with team principal Ayao Komatsu became physical. His participation in the remaining races was not confirmed in the pre-race report.
The Mexico City circuit measures 4.304 kilometres, with 17 corners and a 305.354-kilometre race distance. Its high altitude creates cooling and aerodynamic challenges, while the long straight and stadium section place contrasting demands on car performance.
Ferrari’s performance also adds interest to the team’s racing heritage, recently highlighted by Sebastian Vettel driving Michael Schumacher’s Ferrari F2002 at Monza.
Mexico City Grand Prix Live Leaderboard and Results
Fans can follow official timing, tyre strategies, pit stops, safety-car developments and confirmed results through the Formula 1 Mexico City Grand Prix race hub.
Hamilton’s opening lap, Antonelli’s championship position and Ferrari’s pit-stop strategy are among the developments to watch. The final classification and championship outcome remain subject to official race confirmation.
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