20 great images from the Mexican GP's history

Formula 1 returns to Mexico this weekend with the country's first grand prix since 1992.

The event marks the start of Mexico's third era in Formula 1, having previously been on the calendar from 1963-70 and 1986-92.

Here, Autosport's magazine editor Edd Straw trawls through the archives of LAT Photographic to find 20 fantastic images from the Mexican Grand Prix's Formula 1 history:

Braking for the banked hairpin was a big challenge on the original circuit configuration. This is Reg Parnell Racing pairing Bob Bondurant (Lotus 33, leading) and Richard Attwood (Lotus 25) during the 1965 Mexican Grand Prix.

The start of the 1966 race.

If you thought last weekend's United States Grand Prix weekend was wet, check this out. This water feature lay in wait for anyone getting it too badly wrong. Fortunately local hero Pedro Rodriguez and Lorenzo Bandini are keeping it on the island.

There was a little asphalt runoff at Mexico City back in the day, but the painted half-tyres demarking the edge of the track were there to catch out anyone taking liberties. Jim Clark leads Pedro Rodriguez through the esses, with a glimpse of the cityscape backdrop.

Crowds were always very enthusiastic back in the day. Here's one of the grandstands at the 1968 Mexican Grand Prix, with some fans risking life and limb to get a slightly better view of their heroes.

In modern F1, photographers are often stuck behind fences with the odd hole cut in them, with 'red zones' restricting where they can stand. In 1968, nothing stopped a snapper getting a good shot of Jackie Stewart's Matra, chasing Graham Hill's Lotus.

Any surprise that crowd-control problems played a big part in Mexico dropping off the calendar after the 1970 race? Here are the fans putting a lot of confidence in local hero Pedro Rodriguez as they get up close and personal.

In 1970, Lotus mechanics didn't have hospitality buildings to eat, drink and grab two minutes of relaxation in. Things have changed a lot since then, although as the Japanese GP weekend this year proved, Lotus personnel still occasionally have to slum it today...

Clay Regazzoni leads Ferrari team-mate Jacky Ickx during the 1970 race, with fans still sitting trackside. Ickx took victory, while reigning world champion Jackie Stewart was eliminated after hitting a dog that had strayed onto the track.

The Mexican Grand Prix returned in 1986 after 15 seasons off the F1 calendar. Gerhard Berger's famous zero-stop strategy netted him and the Benetton-BMW team's first F1 victory and a very ostentatious trophy.

Proof that the crowds were far more under control in 1987, safely behind fences while Nigel Mansell leads on the first lap of the race. Can you spot runner-up Nelson Piquet? No, because he finished lap one three-quarters of a minute down after spinning, thanks to a clash with Alain Prost.

Philippe Alliot showed how to dismantle a Larrousse Lola LC88 very rapidly in 1988. After losing it on the rumble strip coming out of the fearsome Peraltada, he was fired towards the pitwall and launched into it off another piece of kerbing at high speed, bouncing back across the track rolling before coming to rest on the grass opposite the pits.

Back when the chequered-flag man was allowed on the track. Here's Alain Prost winning the 1988 race from McLaren team-mate Ayrton Senna.

Ayrton Senna congratulates Alain Prost after the finish of the 1988 race. This was at a time before their relationship as McLaren team-mates became truly toxic.

An attempt to complete the 1990 Mexican GP non-stop backfired on Ayrton Senna when the right-rear tyre let go while he was trying to keep clear of Alain Prost.

Gerhard Berger crashes out of qualifying for the 1991 race at a circuit that still had a bad reputation for bumps and safety standards.

The 1991 grand prix field in engine-cover form, back in the days when spare cars were allowed.

The Palacio de los Deportes dominates this image of Eric Bernard. The arena was originally constructed for the 1968 Olympics and went on to stage major events.

Ayrton Senna headed to the 1991 Mexican Grand Prix with a gash in his head thanks to a jetski accident. The last thing he wanted to do was to park his McLaren upside-down at the legendary Peraltada. Fortunately, he was able to race.

Nigel Mansell was delighted when Williams team-mate Riccardo Patrese beat him to victory in the 1991 Mexican GP - which chosen by the Italian as his 'Race of my life' for Autosport in January 2010.