© Getty ImagesFive Things You Didn’t Know About Autódromo Hermanos RodríguezLesser-known nuggets of info about the Mexico City Grand Prix circuit
We’reheadingbacktoCheco’shomeforround20ofthe2022FormulaOneWorldChampionship.TheAutódromoHermanosRodríguezhasalongandstoriedhistory,here’sfivethingsyoumightnotknowaboutthehomeoftheMexicoCityGrandPrix.
ParentsWillDoAnythingForTheirKids
The Mexican Grand Prix has a long history and one that had a slightly unusual start. Legend has it that two of Mexico’s top racing stars Ricardo and Pedro Rodriguez’ father worked for the Mexican President in the late 1950s. The two drivers quietly mentioned to their dad that it might be a good idea for Mexico to host a Grand Prix. Rodriguez senior spoke to his boss and the Mexican Grand Prix was born.
On The Move In Mexico City© Getty Images
CarsCanStruggleDueToTheAltitude
The Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez is 2.2km above sea level meaning that the ambient air pressure is low – lowest of the season in fact.
At sea level the ambient air pressure is around 1013 millibars. At the track, they’re around 780mb. That means Oxygen levels in the air are reduced by around 22%. That reduction impacts Formula One cars. The Power Unit will be most affected by the low pressure. A normally-aspirated engine would suffer a significant drop in power (around 20%). A turbocharged engine can make up for this but the turbo has to work much harder than in normal conditions to achieve it, which increases temperatures.
The thin air also means the brakes and PU will run hotter and be harder to cool down, requiring changes to the bodywork to keep the temperature down.
Checo On The Charge In Mexico© Getty Images
MaxCanBecomeTheMostSuccessfulDriverAtAutódromoHermanosRodríguez
Max has won the Mexican Grand Prix three times so far in his career, alongside Jim Clark, and can set a new record this season with another victory.
Alain Prost, Nigel Mansell and Lewis Hamilton are the only other drivers to win more than once in Mexico.
A Masterful Win From Max© Getty Images
Checo’sFriendAndSponsorHelpedGetMexicoBackIt’sGrandPrixStatus
The Mexican Grand Prix was not held between 1993 to 2014, but thanks to Carlos Slim Domit, son of Carlos Slim, plans for a return of the Mexican Grand Prix were revealed.
Before the race could return though, a huge renovation project was required to the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez. This not only included the infrastructure but also tweaks to the circuit as well. So, Hermann Tilke was given a call and his changes included a new sequence of corners to open the lap at turns one, two and three. The rest of the track was also rebuilt and realigned but retained the original outline of the track.
The entire circuit was resurfaced and new stands erected around the track, with completely new pit and paddock facilities erected.
The changes were phased in over time to allow other racing activity to continue and the whole complex was complete by August 2015 ready to host the return of the Mexican Grand Prix in November of the same year.
Vamos Checo!© Getty Images
ChecoIsTheMostSuccessfulMexicanToRaceOnHomeSoil
Last year, when Checo raced for the first time as a Bull at the Mexican Grand Prix he made history, becoming the first Mexican driver to lead his home race and finish on the podium at the Mexican Grand Prix!
Our Mexican Icon© Getty Images
