Mexico City Grand Prix: Where Racing Meets Día de Muertos
Mexico City knows how to throw a party, and its Formula 1 weekend may be the best example. Content creator Enrique del Bosque, who holds the largest F1 following on TikTok in Latin America, has been to races at Monza, Las Vegas and Lusail — and says nothing matches the atmosphere in the Mexican capital. "Other [destinations] are mostly about the racing," he says. "Mexico has its own flavor." The race overlaps with Día de Muertos, and chilango energy gives it a local character all its own.
The city is no stranger to big sporting occasions. Formula 1 first brought a Grand Prix to the capital in 1963; after an on-again, off-again run, it returned for good in 2015 and is under contract until at least 2028. In 2025 the race drew 401,326 fans, the third-highest attendance among F1's 24 rounds, and an estimated 48 million supporters follow the sport across Mexico. Much of that passion centers on Mexico City native Sergio "Checo" Pérez, whose homecoming draws massive support. "Mexican fans are very creative. They're always coming up with new chants and cheers," Pérez told Condé Nast Traveler. "What happens here is difficult to explain until you experience it for yourself."
Race weekend doubles as a gateway to the city. Local resident Iván Saldaña, founder of spirits company Casa Lumbre and co-creator of non-alcoholic agave drink Almave with Lewis Hamilton, puts it simply: "There is an appetite here, and I don't mean only for food and drink. I mean for life." Muralist and clothing designer Lilmister P, from Iztapalapa, has seen the fandom swell: "Before it was more niche. But now during F1 race weekend, you will see lots of people all over, outside of the race track, in every neighborhood, riding public transit, wearing the gear."
For where to stay, the experts point to Paseo de la Reforma in Colonia Juárez, a tree-lined area full of bars and restaurants with easy Metro access — take brown Line 9 — to the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez. Pérez recommends breakfast at El Cardenal and dinner at Pujol or Limosneros, both requiring advance reservations; Saldaña suggests Havre 77 for French onion soup and burgers, and El Hidalguense for weekend-only lamb barbacoa tacos. Lilmister P favors Cantina Salón Ríos near the Angel of Independence. Off-track, Soho House Mexico City plans a Sunday screening with brunch and a poolside after-party, and the Grand Prix's overlap with Día de Muertos means Paseo de la Reforma is decorated with more than 300 giant alebrijes made by local artisans for an annual parade organized by Museo de Arte Popular. "The ambiance in Mexico City is crazy," del Bosque says. "You will feel the connection with the fans."