How to watch the 2021 Mexican GP: start time and TV channels

F1

All times, TV channels and highlight timings you need for the 2021 Mexican GP

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The Mexican GP is always a popular race with the fans

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Formula 1’s final triple-header of the season begins with a return to Mexico and the title race is finely-poised.

The gap between Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton is now the biggest it has been since the Austrian Grand Prix back in the summer and, with five races remaining, any error from this point on will be catastrophic.

Mercedes still has fears over the unreliability of its power unit as of late and another engine change for Hamilton isn’t out of the question. On top of that, the team isn’t overly-confident all of the previous issues it has usually faced in Mexico have been solved.

The thinner air has historically led to a reduced level of competitiveness for the team’s engine while Red Bull’s Honda power unit seems to cope just fine with the elevation.

But with that said, who will be heading to Brazil with the points lead? All the times for this weekend’s Mexican Grand Prix can be found below.

 

Key times

If you’re hoping to catch the major sessions just as they happen, here are the times you need to be in front of your TV or have your device set up for.

Qualifying

Live: Saturday, 19:55pm via Sky Sports F1/NowTV

Highlights: Sunday, 8:45am via Channel 4

Race

Live: 18:55pm via Sky Sports F1/NowTV

Highlights: 11:30pm via Channel 4

 

How many laps is the Mexican Grand Prix?

Sunday’s race will be 71 laps of the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez in Mexico City. Forecasts predict a dry weekend from start to finish.

 

Where to watch

Sky Sports F1 will offer every session this weekend live and with pre and post-race coverage. The dedicated channel will also be showing re-runs of the sessions throughout the weekend so if you can’t make one of them live, keep an eye out for a repeat.

On the highlights front, Channel 4 is showing both qualifying and the race though like with the US Grand Prix, qualifying highlights will be shown on Sunday morning due to the time difference. Race highlights are on earlier than last time though, beginning after 11pm Sunday rather than the early hours of Monday morning.

(All times GMT)

Sky Sports F1 – Live

Friday: FP1 – 5pm | FP2 – 8:45pm

Saturday: FP3 – 4:45pm | Qualifying: 7pm

Sunday: Race – 6:55pm

Channel 4 – Highlights

(Late highlights due to time difference)

Sunday: Qualifying – 8:30am

Sunday: Race – 11:35pm

 

How to stream

Throughout the weekend, NowTV will show each session live via the Sky Sports F1 channel meaning you can keep up to date with the sessions no matter where you are. The app is available on mobile and tablet devices with weekend passes guaranteeing you live action as well as pre and post-race coverage.

 

Who will win?

There’s a pattern that has emerged in Mexico in recent seasons and that is Mercedes is not at full strength at altitude. With the Mexican GP taking place over 2000m above sea level, the usually class-leading Brixworth-built power unit lags behind those of Honda specification.

Red Bull’s chances of a one-two victory in Mexico are looking strong. The team has historically worked well there and its drivers are operating at a high level as the season’s end draws near.

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Sergio Perez is finding his happy place with the car while Max Verstappen is coming off the back of arguably one of the finest Formula 1 wins of his career.

On the other side of the coin, Mercedes may be considering another grid penalty for Lewis Hamilton while Valtteri Bottas looked very anonymous last time out in Texas. The Black Arrows need to find some form quickly if they are to hold off the challengers.

Both of the title contenders have two victories apiece around the Mexico City circuit, with Hamilton the most recent winner back in 2019.

If the engine disadvantage plays out, Red Bull are sitting pretty for a dominating weekend should all go according to plan.

Whether or not team orders come into play though is another question. For Mercedes, the team has already deployed orders to benefit Hamilton in the title fight but at his home grand prix, would Perez be asked to make way for his team-mate?

The move would be hugely unpopular in front of the wild Mexican crowd but could be a necessary evil to ensure Verstappen secures the 2021 championship.

 

2021 Mexican Grand Prix session times

(All times GMT)

Friday

Free Practice 1: 17:30 – 18:30

Free Practice 2: 21:00 – 22:00

Saturday

Free Practice 3: 17:00 – 18:00

Qualifying: 20:00 – 21:00

Sunday

Race: 19:00 – 21:00