Max Verstappen has proposed renaming the Mexico City Grand Prix to the ‘Maxico’ Grand Prix following his sixth victory at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez on Sunday. The Red Bull driver secured his third win of the 2026 Formula 1 season in a race that also saw Andrea Kimi Antonelli crowned the youngest-ever F1 World Champion.
Verstappen started the 71-lap race from fifth on the grid. He capitalised on an early incident involving Ferrari drivers Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc to take the lead.
Leclerc received a five-second time penalty for cutting a corner and gaining a lasting advantage during the opening stages.
The race was marked by a red flag period following a heavy crash and two Safety Car deployments. Verstappen ultimately crossed the finish line 0.799 seconds ahead of Hamilton.
Verstappen’s suggestion to rename the event reflects his consistent success at the Mexican circuit. The Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez has become his most successful venue in Formula 1.
“They should actually call it the ‘Maxico’ Grand Prix. That would be great. I honestly love being here. I love the city, I love the environment, I love the fans.”
Despite his dominant performance, Verstappen reported persistent engine braking issues throughout the race. He described the problem as “random” and stated that Red Bull did not have a clear explanation for its root cause.
The high altitude of the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, situated over 2,200 metres above sea level, presents unique technical challenges. This thin air significantly impacts aerodynamic performance, cooling, and places increased stress on power unit components, including the turbocharger.
Red Bull’s technical director, Pierre Wache, acknowledged a “disconnection” between the front and rear of the car, which manifested during braking phases. The team had previously evaluated revised Brembo brake discs at the United States Grand Prix to enhance braking consistency.
The 2026 technical regulations, particularly the removal of the MGU-H, further complicate the task of achieving optimal boost pressure at high altitudes. This places additional strain on the turbochargers.
Verstappen, a four-time F1 World Champion from 2021 to 2024, now holds six victories at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, including wins in 2017, 2018, 2021, 2022, and 2023.
The Mexico City Grand Prix marked a significant moment in the 2026 season as Andrea Kimi Antonelli, driving for Mercedes, secured the World Championship. At 20 years, two months, and seven days old, Antonelli became the youngest F1 champion in history, surpassing Sebastian Vettel’s previous record.
Antonelli’s title is the first for an Italian driver since Alberto Ascari in 1953. He clinched the championship with four races remaining in the season.
Lewis Hamilton, who started from pole position for Ferrari, finished second in Mexico. This was Hamilton’s first pole position for Ferrari and his first since 2023.
Following the Mexico City Grand Prix, Verstappen moved into second place in the Drivers’ Championship standings, two points ahead of Hamilton. Mercedes is nearing the Constructors’ Championship title.
The Formula 1 season continues with the Brazilian Grand Prix at Interlagos on November 8.
