From October 26th to 29th, 2023, the Mexican Grand Prix (Mexican GP) emerges as a critical event in the ongoing Formula One season. With only three races left, the championship’s fate for both the drivers and teams is likely to be sealed in these final contests. Preceding this was the Austin US Grand Prix, and following closely is the season’s second-to-last race, the Brazilian Grand Prix in São Paulo. Anticipation is high for the climax of the Formula One year.
Tracing the Legacy of the Mexican Grand Prix
The Mexican Grand Prix boasts a rich history that dates back to the 1960s. Its inaugural race was in 1962 at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, named after the celebrated Mexican racing siblings, Ricardo and Pedro Rodríguez. Initially a fixture in the Formula One World Championship, it saw legendary victors like Jim Clark, Alain Prost, and Nigel Mansell. Despite intermittent absences from the racing calendar, it made a triumphant return in 2015, complete with significant upgrades for enhanced safety. Today, it’s a beloved staple in the Formula One schedule, known for its electric atmosphere and thrilling races.
Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez: A Track of Challenges and Triumphs
Revamped in 2015 by German designer Herman Tilke, the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez is synonymous with heightened safety and exhilarating challenges. Spanning 4.304 kilometers, the track is a blend of lengthy straights and demanding turns, with the iconic Peraltada curve as a highlight. This curve, once a banked corner, now requires a blend of speed and precision. The stadium section, with its tight turns amid roaring grandstands, offers an immersive experience for fans and a test of skill for drivers. The track’s high altitude, around 2,200 meters, adds another layer of complexity, affecting engine performance and demanding strategic adaptations from the teams.
Celebrating the Champions of the Mexican Grand Prix
The Mexican Grand Prix has seen a parade of champions over the years, from Max Verstappen’s recent victories to the historic wins of racing legends like Lewis Hamilton and Nigel Mansell. This table of winners underlines the race’s storied past and the prowess of those who have conquered its track.
| Year | Winner | Pole Position |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Max Verstappen (Red Bull-Honda) | Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes) |
| 2020 | No F1 race due to COVID-19 | |
| 2019 | Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) | Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) |
| 2018 | Max Verstappen (Red Bull-TAG Heuer) | Daniel Ricciardo (Red Bull-TAG Heuer) |
| 2017 | Max Verstappen (Red Bull-TAG Heuer) | Sebastian Vettel (Ferrari) |
| 2016 | Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) | Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) |
| 2015 | Nico Rosberg (Mercedes) | Nico Rosberg (Mercedes) |
| 1992 | Nigel Mansell (Williams-Renault) | Nigel Mansell (Williams-Renault) |
| 1991 | Riccardo Patrese (Williams-Renault) | Riccardo Patrese (Williams-Renault) |
| 1990 | Alain Prost (Ferrari) | Gerhard Berger (McLaren-Honda) |
| 1989 | Ayrton Senna (McLaren-Honda) | Ayrton Senna (McLaren-Honda) |
| 1988 | Alain Prost (McLaren-Honda) | Ayrton Senna (McLaren-Honda) |
| 1987 | Nigel Mansell (Williams-Honda) | Nigel Mansell (Williams-Honda) |
| 1986 | Gerhard Berger (Benetton-BMW) | Ayrton Senna (Lotus-Renault) |
| 1970 | Jacky Ickx (Ferrari) | Clay Regazzoni (Ferrari) |
| 1969 | Denis Hulme (McLaren-Ford) | Jack Brabham (Brabham-Ford) |
| 1968 | Graham Hill (Lotus-Ford) | Joseph Siffert (Lotus-Ford) |
| 1967 | Jim Clark (Lotus-Ford) | Jim Clark (Lotus-Ford) |
| 1966 | John Surtees (Cooper-Maserati) | John Surtees (Cooper-Maserati) |
| 1965 | Richie Ginther (Honda) | Jim Clark (Lotus-Ford) |
| 1964 | Dan Gurney (Brabham-Climax) | Jim Clark (Lotus-Ford) |
| 1963 | Jim Clark (Lotus-Climax) | Jim Clark (Lotus-Ford) |
| 1962 | Jim Clark (Lotus-Climax) | Jim Clark (Lotus-Climax) |
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