You're sitting there, snacks ready, beverage in hand, and the screen just shows a pre-race montage. It’s annoying. We’ve all been there. Figuring out the exact start time for Mexican Grand Prix is surprisingly tricky because of how the time zones dance around each other in late October.
Honestly, the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez is one of those tracks where if you’re five minutes late, you’ve probably missed the most chaotic part of the race. The run down to Turn 1 is massive. It’s one of the longest in Formula 1.
The Core Schedule: When to Tune In
The 2025 Mexico City Grand Prix is scheduled for Sunday, October 26. If you are looking for the absolute "lights out" moment, the race typically begins at 2:00 PM local time (CST).
But here is the catch.
For fans in the UK, the clocks actually go back that very morning. This creates a weird gap. While Mexico stays on its schedule, the UK shifts from BST to GMT. This means the race starts at 8:00 PM GMT for British viewers. If you're on the East Coast of the US, you're looking at a 4:00 PM ET start.
Here is how the main event breaks down across the globe:
- Mexico City (Local): 2:00 PM
- Los Angeles (PT): 1:00 PM
- New York (ET): 4:00 PM
- London (GMT): 8:00 PM
- Sydney (AEDT): 7:00 AM (Monday, Oct 27)
Don't just show up at 2:00 PM and expect the cars to be moving. The formation lap starts then. The actual "racing" usually begins about three to five minutes later once they've lined up on the grid.
Why the Altitude Changes Everything
It isn't just about the clock. Mexico City sits over 2,200 meters above sea level. That is roughly 7,200 feet. The air is thin. Really thin.
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This affects the "start" in a way most people don't realize. The turbochargers have to spin much harder to get oxygen into the engines. Cooling becomes a nightmare. You'll see cars trailing smoke or slowing down early because the brakes just can't catch a breeze in that thin air.
Experts like Martin Brundle often point out that the slipstream effect is minimized here. Because the air is less dense, the car behind doesn't get as much of a "tow" as they would at Monza or Spa. It makes the opening lap strategy totally different.
The Full Weekend Breakdown
If you're a die-hard who watches every session, the Friday and Saturday times are just as vital.
Friday, October 24
The first practice (FP1) kicks off at 12:30 PM local. This is usually when the "rookie" drivers get a run. FP2 follows later at 4:00 PM local.
Saturday, October 25
FP3 is at 11:30 AM. Then, the big one—Qualifying—starts at 3:00 PM local.
Qualifying is massive in Mexico. Passing is notoriously difficult because of the cooling issues I mentioned earlier. If you follow a car too closely for too long, your engine might actually melt. So, getting a good "start" on Saturday basically dictates your Sunday.
Watch Out for the "Clock Trap"
I can't stress this enough: check your phone's auto-update settings. Because the race falls on the final weekend of October, many countries are shifting their Daylight Saving Time.
Mexico actually abolished most of its daylight savings in 2022, but the US and UK still play the game. If you're relying on a mental calculation you made three weeks ago, you're going to be an hour off.
Basically, just Google "time in Mexico City" an hour before you think it starts. It's the only way to be 100% sure.
Practical Steps for Race Day
To make sure you don't miss a single gear shift, here is what you should actually do:
- Sync your calendar: Use the official F1 app to sync the sessions to your phone. It handles the time zone conversions automatically.
- Account for the "Build-up": Most broadcasters like Sky Sports or ESPN start their coverage 60 to 90 minutes before the green light. If you want the technical analysis of the thin-air aero packages, tune in at 12:30 PM local (6:30 PM GMT).
- Check the Support Races: The Porsche Carrera Cup or local Formula 4 often run right before the F1 cars. They're great for seeing how the track surface is "rubbering in."
- Weather Watch: Late October in Mexico City can be unpredictable. Rain showers often pop up in the afternoon. If it rains, the "start" might be delayed or conducted under a Safety Car.
The atmosphere at the Foro Sol—the baseball stadium section—is unlike anything else in racing. When the cars enter that stadium on the formation lap, the noise is literal thunder. Even through a TV screen, you can feel it. Just make sure you're actually in front of that screen when it happens.