The uniquely demanding challenge of Formula 1's highest-altitude race gets even tougher in Mexico this year, and there are some lingering frustrations from last weekend's grand prix in the United States too.
📌 The Core Development
This year’s Mexican Grand Prix will be the first of the modern era where F1’s hybrid V6 engines have run without the MGU-H.
Mexico City’s altitude has traditionally put extra strain on the turbochargers as the lack of air density requires everything to function at higher RPM.
🔍 Background & Sector Context
According to Honda’s trackside engineering chief, Shintaro Orihara, the loss of the MGU-H for 2026 makes the process of achieving sufficient boost pressure even more difficult here, calling it “quite challenging” to run without the complicated and expensive component ditched under this season’s new engine regulations.
“Last year we had MGU-H, so we have some support from MGU-H, but this year we don't have MGU-H, so it's quite challenging,” he said.
📊 Industry & Real-World Impact
“For example, just only for idle, in idle condition, we have MGU-H support to get enough boost pressure [in 2025], but this year we don't have any support. Even in idle, we have big difference from last year.
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🔮 Strategic Outlook & What Lies Ahead
“Then also, turbo lag, that's most interesting or important topic in this track. I think not only Honda, but also all manufacturers, they will struggle with turbo lag, or [find it] challenging for turbo lag in this track.
“Also, not only turbo lag, normally in Mexico, turbocharger speed is quite high to get enough airflow. Then we may... we need to check, but we may have some restriction on engine operation condition, if in the worst case.
