What tyres will the teams and drivers have for the 2026 Mexico City Grand Prix?

The F1 paddock moves onto Mexico City for Round 19 of the 2026 season, with the drivers set to take on the breathtaking Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez – and tyre suppliers Pirelli have confirmed the compounds that will be in use throughout the weekend.

For this year's event the C3 has been selected as the hard compound, with the C4 as the medium and C5 as the soft. This marks a different choice from last year, when a compound step was attempted with the C2 as hard.

Drivers will get two sets of the hard tyre (marked white), three sets of the medium tyre (marked yellow), and eight sets of the soft tyre (marked red), as well as access to the green intermediate tyre and the blue full wets, should they be required.

An extra set of softs is reserved for those who reach Q3 in Qualifying, while all drivers must use at least two different slick compounds during the race, providing the track is dry.

"The main novelty for the weekend is the resurfacing of a large portion of the circuit, reads Pirelli's weekend preview. "The work covered the section from Turn 16 to Turn 1 and the stretch from Turn 7 to Turn 16, leaving only the first sector largely unchanged. New asphalt is normally associated with higher grip levels and lower roughness compared to an older surface. However, it will be important to assess its actual characteristics during the opening stages of the weekend.

"The Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez has traditionally been one of the least demanding circuits on tyres. Its many low-speed corners and limited lateral loads tend to keep wear under control. At the same time, the thin air reduces the aerodynamic load generated by the cars, increasing tyre slip and making graining a factor to watch closely. With a new and smoother asphalt surface, this characteristic could play an even more significant role in shaping strategy.

"In Mexico, the track is often quite dirty during the first sessions, with grip improving significantly lap after lap. This year, that evolution could be even more pronounced given the extensive resurfacing work.

"From a strategic point of view, the circuit’s low severity and the behaviour of the three compounds on tracks with similar characteristics could favour a one-stop race. Tyre management to extend stints will nevertheless remain an important factor, particularly considering that the rear axle is the most heavily stressed.

"The difference between the various strategic options may depend more on the confidence a driver can extract from a particular compound than on any genuine tyre life limitation. As seen at several events this season, some teams may be more inclined towards the softer compounds in order to benefit from the additional grip available, while others may favour the consistency and stability offered by the Hard.

"In any case, the Soft could once again play a central role. The C5 has demonstrated strong characteristics on low-severity circuits and could prove an attractive option not only in qualifying but also in the race, broadening the range of strategic possibilities compared to previous seasons.

"Another aspect to monitor will be braking performance. The altitude reduces aerodynamic efficiency and can make the management of the heaviest braking zones more challenging. The long main straight leading into Turn 1 could increase the risk of lock-ups, especially during the early stages of the weekend when grip levels are still limited."

For more information about Pirelli’s F1 tyres, visit pirelli.com.