Altitude, Passion, and Peraltada: The Rich History of the Mexican Grand Prix
Few races on the Formula 1 calendar can match the sheer spectacle and vibrant energy of the Mexican Grand Prix. Held at the high-altitude Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez in Mexico City, the event is famous for its « F1esta » atmosphere, its challenging layout, and a history marked by glory, tragedy, and remarkable reinvention. Its story unfolds across three distinct eras, each leaving an indelible mark on the sport.
The Heroic First Era (1962–1970)
Formula 1’s relationship with Mexico began in 1962 with a non-championship race at the Magdalena Mixhuca circuit. Built in a public park, the track was fast and exciting, but the event was immediately struck by tragedy. Local hero and rising star Ricardo Rodríguez, set to drive for Ferrari, was killed during practice at the age of 20.
Despite this tragic start, the race was added to the official F1 World Championship calendar in 1963. The circuit was soon renamed Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez to honor Ricardo and his brother, Pedro, who also became a legendary F1 driver.
This era was defined by racing legends. Jim Clark won three times, and drivers like Graham Hill and John Surtees also claimed victory. However, the event’s defining characteristic was the immense passion of the local fans. This passion ultimately became its temporary undoing. During the 1970 race, an estimated 200,000 spectators overwhelmed security, lining the track and even running across it. The race was held in near-anarchic conditions, and while miraculously no one was seriously injured, F1 deemed the event far too dangerous to continue. It was removed from the calendar for 16 years.
The Bumpy, Turbo-Charged Return (1986–1992)
Formula 1 returned to a revised Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez in 1986, at the height of the powerful turbo era. The track was now shorter and safer, but it had a new reputation: it was notoriously bumpy, a brutal test of car and driver.
This period is best remembered for one of the most fearsome corners in F1 history: the Peraltada. This was a long, fast, 180-degree banked corner taken at incredible speeds, with very little runoff. It was a corner that demanded total commitment and rewarded bravery.
It was here, in 1990, that Nigel Mansell executed one of the most famous overtakes in F1 history, sweeping around the outside of Gerhard Berger’s Ferrari in a spectacular display of car control and courage. The corner could also be punishing; Ayrton Senna suffered a terrifying, high-speed crash there during practice in 1991.
Gerhard Berger himself gave Benetton its first-ever F1 victory here in 1986. However, by the early 1990s, the circuit’s condition was again a major concern. The track surface was breaking apart, and the growing problem of Mexico City’s air pollution made the event difficult for teams and drivers. The 1992 race, won by Mansell, was the last for over two decades.
The Modern « F1esta » and the Foro Sol (2015–Present)
After a 23-year absence, the Mexican Grand Prix made a triumphant return in 2015, thanks to a complete circuit redesign by Hermann Tilke and the enormous popular support for local driver Sergio « Checo » Pérez.
The track was transformed. While it retained its high-speed character, the most significant change was the alteration of the legendary Peraltada. The fast, banked corner was cut in half for safety reasons. In its place, however, F1 created one of the most unique and atmospheric sections in all of sports.
The new layout diverts the cars through the Foro Sol, a baseball stadium that holds over 40,000 fans. This section, packed with cheering spectators, creates an amphitheater of noise and color, culminating in the post-race podium ceremony being held directly in front of the stadium crowd, rather than on the pit straight.
Today, the race is a modern classic. Its challenge remains unique: at over 2,200 meters (7,200 feet) above sea level, the thin air starves engines of oxygen, reduces aerodynamic downforce, and puts immense strain on cooling systems, often leveling the playing field.
From the raw danger of the 1960s to the boisterous, organized celebration in the stadium today, the Mexican Grand Prix has secured its place on the calendar. It is more than just a race; it is a vibrant, loud, and unforgettable celebration of speed and culture.