2019 German Grand Prix (Rain Chaos Victory)

Lore & Background

The Mexican Grand Prix was first held on 4 November 1962 at the Magdalena Mixhuca circuit. The circuit was the first international racetrack in Mexico, built within a park in Mexico City. The race provided unique challenges, standing at 2,240m above sea level, with the long, 180-degree, lightly banked and fast Peraltada corner, and a bumpy racetrack from actively shifting soils. The Mexican Grand Prix of this period was always the season finale, held in late October.

The first race, a non-championship affair, was won by Team Lotus with Jim Clark taking over the car of teammate Trevor Taylor; Clark was black-flagged after receiving a push-start. The meeting was marred by the death of Ricardo Rodríguez, killed in practice in a Rob Walker run Lotus 24 on the Peraltada. The Formula One World Championship arrived in 1963 with Clark winning again. 1964 saw the battle for both championships; Ferrari signalled Lorenzo Bandini to let teammate John Surtees through, and Surtees finished second to win the championship by one point.

Richie Ginther took victory for Honda in 1965, the Japanese company's first Formula One win. Clark won his third Mexican Grand Prix in 1967. In 1968, Graham Hill took victory and his second driver's championship. Crowd control in 1968 and 1970 contributed to cancellation.

In 1970, a record crowd of approximately 200,000 arrived, forcing officials to delay the race start by an hour. During the race, spectators threw bottles on the track. Clay Regazzoni trailed Jacky Ickx for a 1-2 Ferrari finish. The 1971 event was scheduled but after the death of Pedro Rodriguez, the plan was abandoned.

The Grand Prix returned in 1986 at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, where Gerhard Berger took his first win. 1987 saw the race run in two parts after Derek Warwick crashed heavily coming out of the Peraltada; Nelson Piquet finished first on the road but Nigel Mansell won on cumulative time. The 1988 race was moved to late May; Alain Prost dominated. Ayrton Senna won in 1989. 1990 saw Prost, now at Ferrari, win after Senna had a slow puncture. 1991 saw Senna crash heavily at the Peraltada during practice; he finished third.

On 9 October 1991, European media reported that promoters barely made enough funds to pay off F1 for the 1991 race. FISA demanded improvements for 1992, which were made.

Reader's Guide

The event is held at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez in Mexico City. The circuit stands at 2,240m above sea level. The lap features the long, 180-degree, lightly banked and fast Peraltada corner. The circuit has been modified over time: the Peraltada's banking was eased for the 1986 return, and further eased for 1992. The 2002 Champ Car revival used a version that cut the Peraltada in half.

Did You Know?

• The first Mexican Grand Prix in 1962 was a non-championship event won by Jim Clark, who took over his teammate's car after being black-flagged for a push-start.
• The 1965 Mexican Grand Prix was Honda's first win in Formula One, with Richie Ginther driving.
• The 1987 Mexican Grand Prix was run in two parts after Derek Warwick's heavy crash, with the winner determined by cumulative time.