Kimi Antonelli can be crowned Formula 1 world champion at the Mexico City Grand Prix on Sunday 1 November. The Mercedes driver leads the championship by 123 points with 125 left to race for, so a finish of ninth or better in Mexico will settle the title. The race starts at 11pm EAT on Sunday at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez.
Antonelli arrives fresh from winning the United States Grand Prix in Austin last weekend, his ninth victory of the season.
Mexico City Grand Prix: Times in Kenya
Mexico City is nine hours behind Kenya. Here is the full weekend schedule in East Africa Time:
- Practice 1: Friday 30 October, 9:30pm EAT
- Practice 2: Saturday 31 October, 1:00am EAT (Friday night)
- Practice 3: Saturday 31 October, 8:30pm EAT
- Qualifying: Sunday 1 November, midnight EAT (Saturday night)
- Race: Sunday 1 November, 11:00pm EAT
The race is round 19 of 23 and runs over 71 laps. There is no sprint this weekend.
F1 Drivers’ Standings Before Mexico
- 1. Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes): 365 points
- 2. George Russell (Mercedes): 242 points
- 3. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari): 241 points
Russell and Hamilton are the only two drivers who can realistically stop him, and both need a near perfect end to the season plus a collapse from the leader.
What Antonelli Needs to Win the Title in Mexico
The maths is simple for the young Italian:
- Finish ninth or higher: Antonelli is champion, whatever anyone else does.
- Finish tenth: he is champion unless Russell wins the race.
- Finish outside the points: he is still champion as long as neither Russell nor Hamilton wins.
In other words, Russell or Hamilton must win in Mexico and Antonelli must have a poor afternoon for the fight to go on to Brazil.
A Season of Dominance
Antonelli’s season has been remarkable. Nine wins so far have given him a lead of more than 120 points over his own team-mate, George Russell. Earlier in the season the team had to manage the rivalry between its two drivers, as we reported in our story on Mercedes’ internal talks over Antonelli and Russell.
His win in Austin last weekend kept up the run of form that has put him on the edge of the title.
What Comes After Mexico
Four rounds remain after Mexico: Sao Paulo on 8 November, Las Vegas on 21 November, Qatar on 29 November and Abu Dhabi on 6 December. Reports say the last two races in the Middle East are under review because of instability in the region, with a decision expected from the sport’s organisers.
If Antonelli wraps up the title on Sunday, the focus will shift to the battle for second place between Russell and Hamilton, who are separated by just one point.
For official timings and results, see the Formula 1 website. If you follow F1 betting markets, check our JetBet sportsbook guide for how to find motorsport odds.
FAQ
What time is the Mexico City Grand Prix in Kenya?
The Mexico City Grand Prix starts at 11pm East Africa Time on Sunday 1 November 2026.
Can Kimi Antonelli win the F1 title in Mexico?
Yes. A finish of ninth or better guarantees him the 2026 world championship, and he can still win it with a lower finish if Russell and Hamilton do not win the race.
Who is second in the 2026 F1 standings?
George Russell is second on 242 points, one point ahead of Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton on 241.
How many races are left in the 2026 F1 season?
Mexico is round 19 of 23, so four races remain after this weekend: Sao Paulo, Las Vegas, Qatar and Abu Dhabi.
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