Strategy
Can you overtake at Mexico City?
Answer
Yes, mainly into Turn 1. Mexico City's very long start-finish straight gives one of the longest DRS runs in Formula 1, so slipstreaming into the tight Turn 1 to 3 complex is the main overtaking spot. The thin air at high altitude cuts downforce and reduces the DRS effect a little, and the stadium section is tight, but the long straight keeps passing alive.
The short answer
Yes, above all into Turn 1. The Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez has one of the longest flat-out runs to a first corner in Formula 1, so the tow and DRS set up passes into the tight Turn 1 to 3 sequence.[1] The high altitude thins the air, so cars run big wings yet still slide, and the slow stadium section makes following hard, but the long straight is a reliable overtaking spot.[2]
Where to overtake at Mexico City
- Turn 1. The end of the very long start-finish straight, the main DRS zone and the prime overtaking spot.[1]
- The stadium section. Tight and slow through the old baseball stadium, hard to pass, so track position matters here.
- Turn 4. A secondary chance after the run down from Turn 1 to 3.
Why altitude shapes the racing
Related reading
Related reading
Sources
- [1]Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez (Wikipedia) (wikipedia-en). Accessed 2026-08-27.
- [2]Mexico City Grand Prix (Wikipedia) (wikipedia-en). Accessed 2026-08-27.
Published 27 Aug 2026