2026 Mexican Grand Prix - Preview | Audi Revolut F1® Team Content Hub

Audi Revolut F1 Team prepares for a second weekend of action in a row as the Mexican Grand Prix promises to deliver a fiesta both on and off the track. The Autódromo Hermanos Rodriguez is a circuit like no other: it retains an old-school feeling, sharing most of the layout with that originally raced by the likes of Ayrton Senna and Nigel Mansell, and adds the unique feature of thin air, owing to Mexico City’s altitude – a challenge for both aerodynamics and cooling.

This is a track with a tradition of delivering spectacular, hard-fought events and this year’s race has all the ingredients to do so again, as Nico Hulkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto aim to return the team to the points. The event also marks a special occasion for Audi Driver Development Programme inductee, Freddie Slater, who will compete during Free Practice 1 on Friday, standing in for Gabriel as he makes his debut during an official Formula One race weekend.

Allan McNish, Racing Director:“Austin was another example of just how close the competition is in the midfield. Both drivers delivered strong performances on Sunday, but various setbacks, whether it was Nico’s lost positions at the start or Gabriel’s substantial grid penalty, made the difference between bringing home the points and finishing just outside the top ten. It was frustrating not to come away with a reward for the team's efforts on a weekend where we looked competitive, but there were positives to take from the event nonetheless.

“Mexico presents a different challenge, with the altitude and the unique characteristics of the circuit adding another element for the teams to manage. We know that in such a competitive midfield, even the smallest details can make a significant difference to the final result. Our focus will be on putting together a clean weekend, executing well across every session and making the most of the opportunities that come our way. We have shown that we can fight for points, and that's what we'll be aiming to do again this weekend.”

Nico Hülkenberg (Car 27): “Austin was a pretty solid weekend overall, even if the race didn't quite go our way after losing some ground at the start. We had the pace to fight with the cars around us, but in such a tight midfield, recovering lost ground is never easy. We’ll take the lessons from that and will try to put together a cleaner weekend in Mexico.

“I’ve made no secret of how much I like the races in this triple header: Mexico City is always a great place to race and one of the weekends I really enjoy. The culture is vibrant, the fans are incredibly passionate and the atmosphere in the stadium section has been something special ever since we came back here in 2015. The altitude also makes it a unique challenge for the cars and drivers, so there’s plenty to get on top of.“

Gabriel Bortoleto (Car 5): “There were some positives to take from Austin last weekend. The car felt good, we had decent pace and I enjoyed being able to fight with other cars and make some good overtakes. I have good memories of my first Mexican Grand Prix last year, especially fighting my way through the field to finish in the points. I also really enjoyed the city and the warm welcome from the fans: it’s a special atmosphere and a fun weekend to be part of. We know how close the midfield is, but hopefully we can build on the positives from Austin and fight for a good result here.”