Can Mexico’s home hero provide its latest F1 magic moment?

Anniversaries create cause for celebration and have become a useful way for event organisers to ramp up interest. A few weeks ago I was commentating at the Goodwood Revival, a motorsport event based on racing that took place from 1948 to 1966. The organisers generated a huge buzz by marking the 75th year of the Ferrari brand, as well as the recognition of Graham Hill’s first world championship title (1962), which drew in a remarkable collection of assorted racing cars that he had driven. 

The Mexican Grand Prix is also about to make a big noise about its 60th anniversary, despite being an irregular feature on the calendar during that time. The first Formula 1 race held at the Magdalena Mixhuca Park in Mexico City took place in November 1962 and, while it was a non-championship GP on that occasion, the event was very significant. 

Local hero Ricardo Rodriguez had stunned fans and Ferrari alike when he made his F1 debut with the team at the Italian Grand Prix the year before; he had qualified on the front row and remained the youngest driver to do so until Max Verstappen pipped him with a front-row start in 2016. Tragically Ricardo, the younger of the two Rodriguez brothers, was killed in practice for that first race in Mexico, a devastating loss to a nation that was just beginning to engage with F1 and which had to wait over four years until brother Pedro Rodriguez took a win in South Africa. 

In the meantime, Graham Hill’s attempt at wrapping up a second title had come to blows in Mexico. The 1964 race was one of the most fascinating F1 season finales in history, with three British drivers competing in three different teams and all on target to be champion. Hill ran third in the early stages and that would have been enough, even with great rival Jim Clark leading the way in his Lotus. But John Surtees was also in the mix and his Ferrari team-mate Lorenzo Bandini was playing the game. Bandini battled furiously with Hill, ran into the back of the BRM, and caused sufficient damage to put Graham out of the hunt – especially when Clark’s engine gave up on the final lap and Bandini gave a nod to the Ferrari outfit to allow Surtees past and win the title by a point. 

Bandini allows Surtees past to take second and with it sufficient points to secure the 1964 F1 world title

Photo by: Motorsport Images

Because 16 of the 21 world championship grands prix held in Mexico have run towards the end of the season, they have often been crucial in title battles. In 1968 Graham Hill was in a similar situation, fighting Jackie Stewart and Denny Hulme for the crown. Hulme was out early when suspension failure caused him to crash, but Stewart took the lead from Hill and the outcome was uncertain until Graham got back in front, and Jackie started to slow down with engine problems that dropped him to seventh. So Graham won his second title by controlling that Mexican race, having missed out so marginally four years earlier. 

In between those events came another historical note. Victory in Mexico for Honda in 1965 was the manufacturer’s first grand prix win, and the only one with both an engine and a chassis built in Japan. In the last race of the 1500cc non-turbo F1 period, the Honda’s miniature V12 engine responded perfectly to the altitude and low barometric pressure of the high central plateau, allowing American Richie Ginther to take his sole grand prix victory. 

"Winning in Mexico would be my biggest dream, to be honest, it will be something that will fulfil me a lot in my career" Sergio Perez

Honda-powered cars have won more often in Mexico than any other engine manufacturer: Max Verstappen’s victory last year took this tally to five. While the power unit is running under the Red Bull name this year, there is effectively a chance of taking a sixth win and perhaps we could see an opportunity for a Mexican to shine as a result. 

Pedro Rodriguez won two grands prix in his career, but never made it to the podium at his home race. For Sergio Perez, the reintroduction of the race in 2015 has yielded some good times. He outqualified his Force India team-mate Nico Hulkenberg at the comeback event and, despite being unlucky with the timing of a safety car, Perez scored useful points. He has failed to score on just one occasion, due to a brake failure in 2018, and it hurt. “I feel sorry for the team and for the fans who have been incredible this week” Sergio said afterwards, “They always make me feel very proud and they give me amazing support.” 

Perez has a solid record at his home race - only suffering one non-points finish - which came in 2018 due to brake failure

Photo by: Steven Tee / Motorsport Images

That was seen very clearly last year when, armed with a Red Bull, he became the first Mexican to earn a podium at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez. The atmosphere in the stadium section of the track was electric both before and after the race as his ardent supporters stood and waved and drowned out any other noise in the background. As Perez said last year, “Winning in Mexico would be my biggest dream, to be honest, it will be something that will fulfil me a lot in my career.” 

PLUS: How early struggles and Red Bull rejection equipped Perez for F1’s top team

Earlier this season Sergio won in his adopted home of Monaco; thanks to the competitiveness of the car, the goal of victory in a personal part of the world is definitely within reach. Having seen six different polesitters over the past six outings at the circuit, perhaps he can earn the seventh and convert it into a historic victory to create many anniversary celebrations in the future.

It was a party atmosphere last year when Perez finished on the podium, what would happen if the home hero makes it to the top step this weekend?

Photo by: Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images