Formula 1 returns after an eye-opening weekend in Texas to host Round 20 of the Formula 1 World Championship. This glamorous motorsport puts away the cowboy boots and travels south to the heart of Mexico City to race around the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez for the Mexican Grand Prix.
And for a country scorching with heat, the sombreros will be needed as the drivers will need their ‘Casco de carreras’ (racing helmets) for a season that is drawing to a close with three teams in the fight for championship glory – McLaren, Red Bull and now Ferrari.
History of the Mexico Grand Prix
Embed from Getty ImagesFormula 1 was graced with its presence in the Mexican capital in 2015 after a 23-year absence. It was graced by its return, with people of Mexico and fans alike showing appreciation for the sport and their home favourite, the ‘Mexican Minister of Defence’, Sergio Perez.
The Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez is the leading circuit in Mexico, and it has hosted other sporting categories, such as IndyCars, NASCAR, Formula E, and Formula 1, including FIA-induced categories and local motorsports events.
While also hosting traditional holiday celebrations such as Día de los Muertos (The Day of the Dead), which Formula 1 allowed to honour back in 2017. Creating a ‘Fiesta’ for before the main event on Sunday. It is a holiday that commemorates death, honours those who have passed away, and celebrates the cycle of life and death.
They are known as (the autodrome of the Rodríguez Brothers) located next to the Magdalena Mixhuca Sports City and became the host of Formula 1, unofficially in 1962 and officially in 1963. An evolution dated with tragedy, memorable overtakes and a need to implement more safety within motorsport.
Evolution of the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez
Embed from Getty ImagesNamed after the Mexican brothers Ricardo and Pedro Rodríguez, the circuit was conceived by their father, Pedro Natalio Rodríguez, who wanted to use the Magdalena Mixiuhca Sports City roads to create a racetrack. In 1958, President Adolfo López Mateos approved the circuit, which was completed in 1959. It featured a 5-kilometre course with a 1-mile oval and a main straight spanning over one kilometre, bolstering high-speed action.
Formula 1’s first arrival to the newly minted circuit in 1962 was a non-championship race that ended in tragedy. Ricardo Rodríguez lost his life when his Lotus’ rear right suspension failed at the fearsome Peraltada turn, hitting the barriers. In his honour, the circuit was renamed Autódromo Ricardo Rodríguez.
A year later, Formula 1 officially returned for a World Championship race, with British racing driver Jim Clark winning the race from the pole position, igniting Formula 1’s popularity in North America. That was until 1970. Scottish driver Jackie Stewart’s incident became the focal point of Formula 1’s not returning until 1986.
Jackie Stewart hit a stray dog at 160 miles per hour with no chance of avoiding, as “his car veered violently to the left, towards a bank where spectators were sitting cross-legged a few meters from the tarmac. I only just managed to regain control and prevent my car from ploughing into that area and scything through the crowd.” He wrote in his autobiography ‘Winning is not Enough’. An incident that led to the removal from the Formula 1 calendar in 1971.
After these events, the circuit would primarily host national racing events and in 1972, the circuit would be named Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez following the unfortunate death of Pedro Rodríguez tragically died in a racing accident on July 11, 1971, during a sports car race at the Norisring in Germany. His car crashed into a barrier, leading to a fire that claimed his life at just 31 years old, marking a profound loss for motorsport.
Extensive renovations were undertaken to prepare for Formula One’s return in 1986, including constructing modern pit garages and increasing safety measures. High fences, patrols, and guard dogs were placed on the outskirts of the circuit to prevent spectators from entering near the track.
Formula 1 returned to Mexico in 1986 and remained on the calendar until 1992 when the sport looked to newer venues to promote it. From then on, we would not see the sport return to Mexico in 2015.
The renewed interest in Formula One prompted a further revival in 2014, culminating in renovating the circuit to modern standards. Hermann Tilke redesigned the stadium’s layout, which included new turns and enhanced spectator facilities. The renovated circuit played host to the Mexican Grand Prix in 2015, which was attended by a record 240,000 spectators.
Since then, Formula 1 has boasted some amazing on-track action for the people of Mexico around the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez. It has not undergone significant changes since its return during the Hybrid Era.
Track Layout
Embed from Getty ImagesThe Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez breathes life into Formula 1 around the 4.3-kilometre circuit, which consists of 17 turns, seven to the left and 10 to the right of this clockwise circuit. With 71 laps of on-track action, the drivers will have to tolerate 305 kilometres of Mexican heat, heavy braking zones, and technical corners.
The spice does not get any hotter with the use of DRS. The Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez will have three DRS Zones. The first zone is located after the Esses exit Turn 11 down to Fort Sol Turn 12. The second DRS Zone is when the drivers approach the Start/Finish straight, racing down to Turn 1. The final Zone is after the small sequence of corners of Turns 2 and 3, heading down to Turn 4.
With a lap time of under one minute and twenty seconds, there is little room for error, as the fight for pole position is crucial.
Iconic Features
Embed from Getty ImagesThis track’s Foro Sol section is one of the most iconic parts, with thousands of passionate fans in a former baseball stadium. As an additional highlight, the legendary Peraltada corner was once a thrilling high-speed bend but has been slightly redesigned for safety reasons.
A significant characteristic of this circuit is its altitude. At more than 2,200 meters above sea level, it is the highest track on the Formula One calendar. Thin air significantly affects car performance. Since engines generate less power, cooling systems experience additional stress, giving the teams another technical challenge to overcome.
It is no secret that the long straight at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodriguez is one of the fastest sections in Formula 1. Approximately 1.2 kilometres in length allows cars to reach top speeds exceeding 350 kilometres per hour. It is a challenging stretch of road that allows drivers to overtake at high speeds and engage in high-speed drama as they try to brake into Turn 1.
Memorable Races Around the Autódromo Hermanos Rodriguez
Embed from Getty ImagesThe 1963 Mexican Grand Prix marked the circuit’s debut in Formula One with a dominant victory for Jim Clark, who dominated the race from start to finish. The Lotus driver finished the race ahead of Jack Brabham over one minute and 40 seconds and lapped the majority of his rivals up to fourth.
In the 1990 Mexican Grand Prix, Alain Prost secured a historic win in his Ferrari after beginning 13th on the grid. Prost navigated through the field to take a stunning victory in his Ferrari, finishing ahead of his teammate, Nigel Mansell, by 25 seconds.
In the race, Gerhard Berger also experienced a dramatic crash at the Peraltada corner, demonstrating the dangers associated with the circuit.
After a 23-year absence, Formula 1 returned to the revamped circuit for the 2015 Mexican Grand Prix. During the height of the Mercedes civil war, it was not just Nico Rosberg’s victory over Lewis Hamilton that set this race apart from the rest, but also the vibrant atmosphere in which it was held and Mexico’s reemergence on the F1 calendar.
In the 2017 Mexican Grand Prix, Lewis Hamilton won his fourth world championship following a dramatic race in which he finished ninth following a collision with Sebastian Vettel on the first lap. Hamilton would be forced to limp back to the pits and mount a charge through the pack. Although the race ended with Hamilton finishing ninth, the Mexican fans celebrated an exciting race. He was welcoming the brand new four-time world champion with a fantastic reception and celebration.
During the 2021 season, at the height of the Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton rivalry. The young Dutchman demonstrated his superior driving skills to extend his championship lead, winning the Mexican Grand Prix in 16 seconds over his rival. But that wasn’t the major highlight, as the home crowd was cheering for Sergio Pérez, who became the first Mexican driver to finish on the podium at a race in his home country—crossing the line third in front of his adoring ‘aficionados locales’ (home fans).
Live Timings – British Standard Time (BST)
Embed from Getty ImagesFriday (25th October)
7:00 pm – Mexico Grand Prix Practice One – (Session Begins at 7:30 pm)
10:45 pm – Mexico Grand Prix Practice Two – (Session Begins at 11:00 pm)
Saturday (26th October)
6:15 pm – Mexico Grand Prix Practice Three – (Session Begins at 6:30 pm)
9:00 pm – Mexico Grand Prix Qualifying – (Session Begins at 10:00 pm)
Sunday (27th October)
6:30 pm – Mexico Grand Prix – (Session Begins at 8:00 pm)
If you would like to learn more news about the world of Formula 1? Then why not check out “Ferrari Are In The Hunt For World Championship Glory” or “United States Grand Prix: Unparalleled Speed in Austin”