The Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, home to the colourful and atmospheric Mexican Grand Prix, is breathtaking in more ways than one.
Set 2.2km above sea level, the highest circuit in Formula 1 is a major challenge for participating teams, with the altitude affecting everything from the engine to aerodynamics.
A lack of downforce created by the altitude, coupled with a bumpy surface that doesn't offer a lot of grip, makes this high-speed circuit a real test for the drivers, and yet it's one they relish.
After 23 years off the F1 schedule, the Mexican Grand Prix made a welcome return in 2015 amid an increase in Mexican drivers on the grid and the drivers and locals alike have fully embraced the race.
Around 240,000 supporters pack the stands, creating a fantastic atmosphere, particularly when the cars come through the Foro Sol baseball stadium, where the noise from the stands can often drown out the V6 engines.
A vibrant fanbase and challenging track make the historic Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez a venue like no other in F1.
What | 2023 Mexican Grand Prix |
Where | Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, Mexico City |
When | Friday 27th October - Sunday 29th October |
How to watch | Sky Sports F1 |
Situated just 5km from the historic centre of Mexico City within a publicly owned park, Magdalena Mixhuca Sports City, the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez is arguably the most centrally-located non-street circuit on the F1 schedule.
The Magdalena Mixhuca, which hosted the 1968 summer Olympics, features numerous venues staging a range of sporting and cultural events with the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez and Foro Sol baseball stadium overlapping.
Rumour has it that the father of Ricardo and Pedro Rodriguez, Mexico's most famous racing brothers, worked as an advisor to the country's president in the 1950s.
When his sons mentioned that it would be a good idea for Mexico to host a Grand Prix, Rodriguez Sr put the idea to his boss, who approved of the plan.
Work began on the track in 1959 and, in 1962, it staged the first Mexican Grand Prix, with the race officially joining the F1 calendar in 1963.
Tragically, Ricardo Rodriguez died at the track the year it opened, while his brother Pedro was killed in a racing incident nine years later. The circuit was later named in honour of the siblings.
After alterations made ahead of its return to Formula 1 in 2015, a lap of the track now measures 4.304 km, making it the fourth shortest circuit currently in use by F1.
The track has changed quite a bit from its original iteration, with the iconic but deadly Peraltada corner now replaced by the stadium section, which winds through Foro Sol before joining up with the original layout.
The first official F1 grand prix at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez took place in 1963 and was won by British driver Jim Clark.
The race then disappeared from the calendar from 1971 until 1986 amid safety concerns, with Gerhard Burger winning the comeback race during its next seven-year stint before it was removed once again, this time due to the poor condition of the venue.
Mexican fans had to wait 23 years for the race to return with Nico Rosberg taking the chequered flag in the first grand prix of its current stint in 2015.
In 2022, organisers signed a contract extension to keep F1 at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez until 2025.
Max Verstappen's victory in the 2022 Mexican Grand Prix saw him become the most successful F1 driver in the history of the race, the Dutchman taking his tally to four wins at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez.
Verstappen's victories make Red Bull the most successful team in the race's history, although Lotus would argue they also have four wins at the venue, albeit one of those races was the unofficial 1962 Grand Prix.
Verstappen has won each of the last two races in Mexico City, taking him one win clear of Jim Clark, who triumphed three times when Mexican Grand Prix had its initial run on the schedule in the 1960s. Clark still holds the record for most poles at the track with four.
Alain Prost, Nigel Mansell and Lewis Hamilton are the only other drivers to win multiple races at the track.
Valtteri Bottas has a good relationship with the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez having broken his own fastest race lap record in 2021 when powering his Mercedes round in a time of 1:17.774.
Verstappen's 1:14.758 from qualifying in 2019 is the outright fastest lap time recorded on the current layout.
The circuit has a rich history of hosting various classes of motorsport and has boosted its appeal by also being able to accommodate an oval circuit as well as the F1 track.
The oval allows the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez to stage a NASCAR series, while Formula E uses large parts of the oval circuit when running its races on a unique layout in Mexico.
Along with all manner of national events being staged at the circuit, the World Endurance Championship, CART and World Sportscar Championship have all previously competed at the venue.
With the Foro Sol stadium overlapping the race track, the Autodromo can lay claim to hosting some of the biggest names in music with Paul McCartney, the Rolling Stones, Madonna, US and Guns N' Roses having all previously appeared.
October is one of the best times to visit Mexico City with the summer heat having abated, bringing temperatures down to around 24C.
The chances of rain are low too, meaning conditions for racing are usually perfect.