The 23rd edition of the Mexican GP is set to take place this weekend from October 29-31
F1 action moves on from the United States to Mexico this weekend for the Mexican Grand Prix at the Mexico City circuit. The drivers’ and Constructors’ titles have already been decided but there’s still a lot at stake as we head out to Mexico! Did you know when this Grand Prix was held for the first time?
The Mexican GP was first held in 1962 but it was a non-championship event. It was officially a part of the F1 World Championship from 1963. The Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, well-known as the Mexico City circuit has been the permanent home of this GP since its inception.
The Mexico City circuit was opened 62 years ago in 1959. It is an FIA Grade 1 circuit with a maximum crowd capacity of 1,10,000. The circuit got its name (Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez) shortly after it opened when Ricardo Rodríguez died in practice for the non-Championship 1962 Mexican Grand Prix. Ricardo’s brother Pedro was also killed behind the wheel nine years later. The circuit has featured on the F1 calendar regularly since 2015.
Who are the most successful drivers at the Mexican GP?
Jim Clark and Max Verstappen are the joint-most successful drivers in the history of the Mexican Grand Prix, having won six titles each. Lotus are the most successful constructors, having registered four wins in this GP. Valtteri Bottas’ lap timing of 1:17.774, while driving a Mercedes W12 in the 2021 Mexican Grand Prix is the official race lap record at this GP.
Besides Clark and Verstappen, Alain Prost and Nigel Mansell has won this GP twice each. For the current grid, besides Verstappen, only Lewis Hamilton has tasted success at this circuit. Verstappen has won it thrice – 2017, 2018 and 2021 while Hamilton has won it twice – 2016, 2019.
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