The official starting grid for the 2026 Mexico City Grand Prix has been confirmed, outlining key positions and penalties ahead of the race scheduled for November 1 at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez. The lineup includes notable drivers from Ferrari, Mercedes, Red Bull Racing, Racing Bulls, Cadillac, McLaren, Alpine, and Audi.
Kimi Antonelli will start from fourth position and holds the opportunity to secure the World Championship by finishing ninth or better, regardless of other results. The front row is occupied by Lewis Hamilton, now driving for Ferrari, and George Russell of Mercedes, who remain the only drivers capable of preventing Antonelli from clinching the title at this event. Charles Leclerc, also with Ferrari, takes third on the grid, while Max Verstappen of Red Bull Racing starts fifth following a one-place grid penalty related to an incident during practice with Liam Lawson.
Liam Lawson, driving for Racing Bulls, was disqualified from qualifying due to a technical breach and will begin the race from the pit lane after making changes to his power unit and car setup. Valtteri Bottas, representing Cadillac, faces a significant setback, starting at the back of the grid after receiving a 50-place grid penalty for extensive power unit changes. The race is set to start at 14:00 local time.
The grid reflects the current championship dynamics, with Antonelli positioned to potentially secure the title depending on his race finish. Hamilton and Russell’s front-row starts highlight their roles in contesting that possibility. Leclerc’s third place and Verstappen’s penalty-adjusted fifth position add further context to the competitive order. Meanwhile, Lawson’s disqualification and Bottas’s grid drop underline the impact of technical regulations and penalties on the starting lineup.
Other drivers such as Lando Norris, Isack Hadjar, Arvid Lindblad, Pierre Gasly, and Nico Hulkenberg complete the field, representing a broad mix of teams including McLaren, Alpine, and Audi. The official grid announcement provides a clear picture of the starting order and the conditions under which the championship may be decided at this stage of the season.
This information is based on official Formula 1® sources and details the confirmed penalties and starting positions ahead of the Mexico City Grand Prix. The race timetable places the start at 14:00 local time on November 1, 2026, at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez circuit.