2026 Mexico City GP qualifying: Start time, format and what's at stake

Qualifying for the 2026 F1 Mexico City Grand Prix starts today at 15:00 local time at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, or 21:00 GMT in the UK. The session will set the grid for Sunday’s race using the familiar three-part knockout format.

Why it matters:

Mexico City’s high altitude and long main straight create a difficult qualifying compromise. Teams want low drag for the straight but still need enough downforce through the stadium section. Pole helps, but the run to Turn 1 is long enough for a slipstream to change the order.

The details:

• Format: Q1, Q2 and Q3. Six drivers are eliminated in Q1, six more in Q2, and the final 10 contest pole in Q3.
• Local time: 15:00 at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez.
• UK time: 21:00 GMT.
• Track demands: The circuit sits over 2,200 metres above sea level, so thin air affects cooling, downforce and tire warm-up.
• Grid value: Overtaking is possible on the long straight, but track position still matters in the race.

What's next:

The pole shootout will show which teams have found the best low-drag balance without losing tire temperature. That answer will shape the grid and offer the first real clue to Sunday’s race pace.