F1 teams braced for fierce Mexican GP challenge with formidable conditions

Round 20 of the 2025 F1 championship takes place at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodríguez this weekend, host of the Mexico City Grand Prix.

After scorching conditions greeted the teams and drivers last weekend in the US, with no threat of rain, a similarly dry forecast is expected for Mexico.

However, while temperatures are expected to remain consistently warm, the highs will not be as extreme as in the US.

The first day of on-track action on Friday will see two practice sessions, the first of which will see almost half of the field consisting of non-full-time rookies as teams hand over mandatory outings.

Friday will see temperatures climb from around 20°C to 25°C by afternoon, with similar temperatures expected on Saturday when teams will qualify for the grand prix.

The main event on Sunday will see a chance of rain of 20%, however the temperature will be unchanged compared to the rest of the weekend.

Wind speeds will remain moderate at 15-25 km/h, and humidity levels will be around 35%. 

These figures present no significant concerns, though the consistent breeze could affect teams, given Mexico City's unique atmospheric challenges.

While the weather forecast removes one variable, the circuit's extraordinary altitude of 2,285 metres remains the main challenge. 

The thin air at this elevation contains 25% less oxygen, altering car performance. 

Teams must run maximum downforce configurations, yet these wings produce downforce levels akin to low-drag setups due to reduced air density.

With weather essentially not a variable, teams can concentrate on optimising aerodynamic packages and cooling systems - or suffer the consequences if they get it wrong.