Five storylines ahead of the Mexico City E-Prix
- Lucrezia Marano
- 14 hours ago
- 4 min read
Written by Lucrezia Marano, Edited by Vyas Ponnuri
Formula E returns to the vibrant streets of Mexico, with this weekend’s outing at the iconic Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez for the 2026 Hankook Mexico City E-Prix. As the teams and drivers prepare themselves to traverse Mexico and the ever-vibrant Foro Sol stadium in the second race weekend of the year, there’s plenty on the line.
After a thrilling opener in São Paulo, teams and drivers head into Mexico with momentum, questions and even early championship ambitions burning bright. Here are five compelling storylines shaping up ahead of one of Formula E’s most electrifying races.
Can Jake Dennis build on his early championship lead?
After the curtain-raiser in São Paulo, Jake Dennis arrives in Mexico atop the drivers’ standings, having scored a stellar victory from pole position. His strong start puts him in a prime position to build early championship momentum, a key advantage in what promises to be one of Formula E’s closest campaigns.
Mexico City has historically suited his and Andretti’s style: Dennis won at the venue in 2023 and holds the record for fastest race lap, while Andretti’s powertrain manufacturers Porsche have taken four out of the last five pole positions at the venue.
If Dennis and Andretti can carry the pace from São Paulo into this weekend, it will mark ominous signs for those chasing, and for Dennis and his hopes of securing a second Formula E title.
Pascal Wehrlein’s Mexico City mastery
If anyone knows how to race at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, it’s Pascal Wehrlein. The German holds four poles at the venue, including three of the last four Mexico E-Prix weekends, and has won twice in Mexico City.
In addition to his victories, Wehrlein has also finished on the podium twice, in 2023 and at last year’s Mexico City E-Prix. It’s no secret that Porsche know how to go well around Mexico City.
Wehrlein may not be leading the standings after São Paulo, but history suggests he’ll be a strong contender for victory. Wehrlein’s ability to manage energy and exploit qualifying performance on this demanding layout makes him a perennial threat, one the rest of the field can ill afford to ignore.
Jaguar and Nissan looking for redemption and stability
After a mixed start to Season 12 in Brazil, both Jaguar and Nissan will be eager to prove their mettle in Mexico. Jaguar’s pace in São Paulo showcased potential, with both Mitch Evans and António Félix da Costa qualifying in the top 10. However, neither driver finished the race, they found themselves at the receiving end of collisions during the race.
Jaguar hold a stronger form guide coming into Mexico City, with Evans having won at this configuration back in 2020, while two Jaguar-powered cars finished on the podium behind Wehrlein in Season 10. The British team did not have the best outing last year, though, with Evans and Nick Cassidy unable to score any points on the weekend.
Meanwhile, a team looking for more stability in performance heading into Mexico City would be Nissan. Reigning champion Oliver Rowland showed flashes of brilliance last year, capitalising on the powerful attack mode to grab victory at the end.
While Rowland finished second in São Paulo, teammate Nato didn’t have the best luck. The Frenchman retired from the race on Lap 17, having made contact with Rowland and damaged his Nissan car.
The Mexican round could be the perfect venue for both teams to reset, refine their race strategy and convert raw speed into valuable points.
Technical challenges: tyre and energy management under the microscope
Mexico City’s unique characteristics, not least its altitude of over 2200 metres above sea level, make it one of the most demanding circuits on the calendar. Teams must balance energy usage with cooling efficiency and tyre management over the 36-lap race.
The recently introduced Hankook tyres, with their new single compound, have sparked debate about wear rates and performance under sustained stress. Mexico could be the first true test of how these tyres and the GEN3 Evo cars hold up under extended racing conditions, with strategic energy management likely deciding the outcome for those at the sharp end.
Rookie watch: can new talent break through?
The early season has seen impressive shows from new and younger drivers, and Mexico City presents another chance to make an impact. Fans will be watching how rookies and recent arrivals adapt to one of Formula E’s toughest circuits, having never turned a wheel around the track before this weekend.
It was a mixed showing for the rookies last time out in São Paulo, with Envision Racing’s Joel Eriksson emerging as the top dog by virtue of seventh in the race, ahead of teammate Sébastien Buemi. Dennis’s teammate Felipe Drugovich finished fifth on the road, but was classified outside the top 10 after a post-race penalty was applied for speeding under the full course yellow period.
Cupra Kiro rookie Pepe Martí found himself in the spotlight after a scary mid-race flip forced him to retire from the race, lucky to land the right way up on the racetrack. He will be looking to make up for a tough debut weekend with a stronger showing in Mexico City.
The energetic atmosphere in Mexico City, coupled with the need for flawless technical execution, provides a stage where a bold performance can define a season. If a newcomer can unlock pace or outfox their rivals through strategy and composure, it could signal a shift in the pecking order and add another intriguing subplot to the championship narrative.
With an exciting weekend shaping up at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, and plenty of strategy and opportunities to overtake on the new layout, the 2026 Mexico City E-prix promises to be yet another pivotal chapter in an exciting and remarkable season of electric racing.
Be it championship aspirations, technical intrigue or breakthrough performances, this is one round that teams will approach with both caution and ambition.
