What Antonelli needs on Sunday
The November 1 race, round 19 of the season, gives Antonelli a chance to settle the drivers' championship. He has 365 points, putting him 123 ahead of Mercedes teammate George Russell and 124 ahead of Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton. Finishing ninth or better would secure the title; even without scoring, he would be champion if neither rival wins.
At 20, Antonelli would surpass Sebastian Vettel, who established the youngest-champion record in 2010 at 23 years and 134 days. He would also become Italy's first F1 champion since Alberto Ascari in 1953 and just the third driver to win the title in his second season, following Hamilton and Jacques Villeneuve.
Perez, driving for Cadillac, will be the only Mexican on the grid for his home event. The weekend coincides with Mexico's Day of the Dead celebrations, with major festivities taking place across the city alongside the Grand Prix.
Musicians and performers on the guest list
Motorsport Week's guest rundown includes The Warning, whose sisters Daniela, Paulina and Alejandra Villarreal Vélez are due to attend Sunday as F1 guests. The Monterrey rock band has previously shared stages with Muse and Foo Fighters.
Danna, the pop singer and former Élite star, and regional Mexican artist Carín León are also among the music guests. Red Bull Racing will host Brazilian DJ Vintage Culture, while American producer Diplo is a Mercedes guest. Disclosure's British DJ Guy Lawrence is also on the list.
A Saturday performance by Nippa is listed for House 44. The other musicians' guest appearances should not be confused with scheduled performances.
Celebrity visits have long been part of the event: Evander Holyfield waved the checkered flag in 2025. Earlier visitors include Sergio Ramos, Aitana, Paty Cantú, Gabito Ballesteros, Jorge Campos, Juanpa Zurita and Bizarrap.
Screen stars and online creators
American actress and singer Victoria Justice, known for Nickelodeon's Victorious, is among the expected entertainment guests. Diego Boneta, whose roles include Luis Miguel, is returning to the Grand Prix, while Luis Gerardo Méndez brings credits including Club de Cuervos and Murder Mystery.
Disney's Sunday guests include Aislinn Derbez of La Casa de las Flores, Violetta actor Jorge Blanco and Azul Guaita, known for Rebelde and Like Water for Chocolate.
Food creator RobeGrill is returning after attending the 2024 race. Known for his enthusiastic catchphrase, he has made celebrity cooking videos with Dwayne Johnson, Rosalía and Checo Pérez. Actress and fitness personality Bárbara de Regil is also part of the social-media contingent, alongside Danna and Justice.
Fashion creators Priscila Escoto and Andy Benavides are on the guest list, as are La Cotorrisa comedy podcast hosts José Luis Slobotzky and Ricardo Pérez. Political satirist Chumel Torres and Disney guest Jessica Marmolejo, whose content focuses on circular fashion and styling, round out the creator lineup.
Athletes join team hospitality
Rafa Márquez, the former Barcelona defender who leads Mexico's national team in 2026, is among the sporting guests. Williams will host Mexican defender Diego Reyes and Colombian actress Viviana Serna, while Argentine footballer Gonzalo Piovi is also expected.
Isaac Alarcón, whose NFL journey has taken him from the Dallas Cowboys to the San Francisco 49ers, joins the guest list. Mercedes will welcome Mexican-American Juan Toscano-Anderson, an NBA champion with the Golden State Warriors. HYROX champion and obstacle-course racer Hunter McIntyre is an Audi guest.
Mercedes also has a championship opening
The constructors' title could be decided in Mexico as well. Mercedes leads Ferrari by 133 points, with a maximum of 215 available before the race and 172 afterward. Mercedes would clinch the championship this weekend by taking the maximum 43 points while Ferrari scores no more than four.
Behind them, Red Bull and McLaren have equal points in the contest for third overall. Red Bull holds the position on countback of placings, and the battle could continue to the end of the season.
Max Verstappen arrives with five victories from the last eight F1 races in Mexico. He is looking to recover momentum after Antonelli stopped his two-race winning streak.
The circuit and remaining tickets
At 2,285 meters above sea level, the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez sits higher than any other circuit on the F1 calendar. Sunday's distance is 71 laps of the 4.304-kilometer track, totaling 305.584 kilometers. The final sector passes into the Foro Sol stadium section, with high grandstands accommodating 30,000 fans.
At the time of Motorsport Week's report, a limited number of tickets remained, with options ranging from grandstand seating to exclusive House 44 access at the Paddock Club.
