When the Mexico race starts
The Mexico City Grand Prix starts at 22:00 in Romania on Sunday, 1 November 2026. Formula 1 published the timetable for round 19 on Tuesday, ahead of a weekend beginning on Friday, 30 October. Romanian fans following every session should pay particular attention to FP2: the session held on Friday in Mexico starts here on Saturday. The table gives session starts and preserves the Romanian calendar date for each one.
The complete timetable in Romanian time
APEX converted each start using the America/Mexico_City and Europe/Bucharest time zones. Romania is eight hours ahead of Mexico City during this weekend. Local times appear alongside the conversion so readers can cross-check an international announcement. The published schedule contains three practice sessions, qualifying and the Grand Prix, with no Sprint session. These are session start times rather than the beginning of television coverage.
| Session | Mexico date and time | Romania date and time |
|---|---|---|
| FP1 | 30 October · 12:30 | 30 October · 20:30 |
| FP2 | 30 October · 16:00 | 31 October · 00:00 |
| FP3 | 31 October · 11:30 | 31 October · 19:30 |
| Qualifying | 31 October · 15:00 | 31 October · 23:00 |
| Race | 1 November · 14:00 | 1 November · 22:00 |
Why FP2 needs its own calendar check
For anyone planning Friday evening, the practical sequence is FP1 at 20:30 followed by FP2 after midnight. A manually created reminder for the second session must use 31 October rather than 30 October. Saturday practice and qualifying both stay on the same Romanian calendar date. Sunday’s race is an evening start as well; there is no need to move that calendar entry into Monday.
A circuit that changes the preparation
Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez measures 4.304 kilometres, with a race scheduled for 71 laps. Its altitude exceeds 2,000 metres and changes the conditions in which the cars operate. APEX’s reading is that practice is also worth following for how teams prepare cooling and stint pace, before drawing comparisons from qualifying laps. A strong Friday position alone does not establish the likely Sunday order or answer every race-preparation question.
The sporting stakes after Austin
Antonelli arrives following his United States victory with the title close. Formula 1 identifies Russell and Hamilton as his last mathematically eligible opponents. Our preview separates the Italian’s objective from the other teams’ battles: a potentially decisive championship weekend can still contain significant contests behind the leader. APEX’s dedicated Austin results report provides the finishing order and the immediate context for the trip to Mexico.
Following the weekend as it develops
Formula 1 provides live timing through its website and app, while its video services depend on territorial availability. Check your chosen broadcaster’s listings for the coverage you use. This timetable was verified on 27 October; any later official rescheduling takes precedence. Saving the APEX race page alongside this guide gives you a convenient route back to the schedule and the sporting context throughout the weekend.
