Mexican Grand Prix facts for kids
| Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez (2015–2019, 2021–present) |
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| Race information | |
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| Number of times held | 24 |
| First held | 1962 |
| Most wins (drivers) |  Max Verstappen (5) |
| Most wins (constructors) |  Red Bull Racing (5) |
| Circuit length | 4.304 km (2.674 mi) |
| Race length | 305.354 km (189.738 mi) |
| Laps | 71 |
| Last race (2023) | |
| Pole position | |
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| Podium | |
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| Fastest lap | |
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The Mexican Grand Prix is a big motor racing event. It is currently called the Mexico City Grand Prix. This exciting race takes place at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez in Mexico City.
The first race was held in 1962, but it wasn't part of the main championship yet. It became a championship event from 1963 to 1970, and then again from 1986 to 1992. The Grand Prix made a big comeback in 2015 at the same famous circuit in Mexico City.
Contents
History of the Race
Early Years (1962–1970)
The first Mexican Grand Prix happened on November 4, 1962. It was held at the Magdalena Mixhuca circuit. This track was special because it was Mexico's first international racetrack. Like the Monza track in Italy, it was built inside a park in a big city.
The circuit was very challenging for racers. It was high up, about 2,240 meters (7,340 feet) above sea level. This high altitude made it harder for the cars to get enough air for their engines. The track also had a long, fast corner called the Peraltada. It was a bit bumpy too, because the ground underneath the track moved over time. During this period, the Mexican Grand Prix was always the last race of the Formula One season, usually in late October.
The first race was not for the championship. Many international teams came to compete. Jim Clark won the race for Team Lotus. Sadly, a young Mexican racing star named Ricardo Rodríguez had a fatal accident during practice for this first race.
In 1963, the Formula One World Championship officially came to Mexico. Jim Clark won again, matching a record for most wins in a single season. The 1964 race was very exciting because it decided both the Drivers' and Constructors' championships. Three British drivers – Clark, John Surtees, and Graham Hill – could all win the drivers' title. In the end, John Surtees finished second and won the championship by just one point!
In 1965, American driver Richie Ginther won for Honda. This was Honda's very first win in Formula One. Jim Clark won his third Mexican Grand Prix in 1967, making him the driver with the most wins at this race for a long time.
The 1968 race was another championship decider. Graham Hill and Jackie Stewart were fighting for the title. Hill drove a strong race and won, securing his second driver's championship.
Sometimes, managing the large crowds was a problem. In 1970, about 200,000 fans came to watch, especially to see Mexican driver Pedro Rodríguez. The race had to be delayed for an hour because officials struggled to control the crowd. There were even reports of bottles being thrown onto the track. Because of these crowd issues, the race was stopped after 1970 and did not return for many years.
Return to the Track (1986–1992)
After a long break, efforts were made to bring the Mexican Grand Prix back. The Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez circuit was rebuilt and made safer. The famous Peraltada corner was changed to be less dangerous.
The Grand Prix returned in 1986. Austrian driver Gerhard Berger got his first win in his Benetton car. The track was still quite bumpy. In 1987, the race was stopped halfway through because of a big crash. Nigel Mansell won that race based on his time before the stop.
The race moved to May in 1988. French driver Alain Prost dominated in his McLaren. His teammate, Brazilian Ayrton Senna, won the next year. In 1990, Prost, now with Ferrari, started far back but drove brilliantly to win the race.
In 1991, Senna had a big crash during practice at the Peraltada corner. He was okay to race, but he complained about how bumpy the track was. The track's condition and growing air pollution problems in Mexico City led to Formula One leaving again after the 1992 race.
A Long Break (1993–2014)
The Mexican Grand Prix was not held for a long time. Other racing series, like Champ Cars, used a changed version of the circuit. There were rumors and plans to bring Formula One back, even building a new track near Cancún, but none of these plans worked out.
In 2013, it looked like the race might return in 2014. However, it was postponed to 2015. This was because the Hermanos Rodríguez circuit needed a lot of upgrades to meet modern Formula One standards.
The Grand Prix Returns (2015–Present)
In July 2014, a five-year deal was signed to bring the Mexican Grand Prix back to the Hermanos Rodríguez track, starting in 2015. German driver Nico Rosberg won the 2015 race for Mercedes.
In 2019, it was announced that the race might end. However, a new deal was made to keep the race until 2022. The event was renamed the "Mexico City Grand Prix" to show the support from the city government.
The 2020 race was planned but had to be cancelled because of travel restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic. So, the 2021 event was the first to be called the Mexico City Grand Prix. In October 2022, it was confirmed that the Mexico City Grand Prix will stay on the calendar until 2025.
Mexican Grand Prix Winners
Drivers with Multiple Wins
Here are the drivers who have won the Mexican Grand Prix more than once. Drivers in bold are still racing in Formula One today. A pink background means the race was not part of the Formula One World Championship.
| Wins | Driver | Years won |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | Max Verstappen |
2017, 2018, 2021, 2022, 2023 |
| 3 |  Jim Clark |
1962*, 1963, 1967 |
| 2 |  Alain Prost |
1988, 1990 |
| Nigel Mansell |
1987, 1992 | |
| Lewis Hamilton |
2016, 2019 | |
| Source: | ||
* Shared win with Trevor Taylor
Teams with Multiple Wins
These are the teams (constructors) that have won the Mexican Grand Prix more than once. Teams in bold are still competing in Formula One. A pink background means the race was not part of the Formula One World Championship.
| Wins | Constructor | Years won |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | Red Bull |
2017, 2018, 2021, 2022, 2023 |
| 4 | Lotus |
1962, 1963, 1967, 1968 |
| 3 | McLaren |
1969, 1988, 1989 |
| Williams |
1987, 1991, 1992 | |
 Mercedes |
2015, 2016, 2019 | |
| 2 |  Ferrari |
1970, 1990 |
| Source: | ||
Engine Manufacturers with Multiple Wins
Here are the engine manufacturers that have powered winning cars at the Mexican Grand Prix. Manufacturers in bold are still involved in Formula One. A pink background means the race was not part of the Formula One World Championship.
| Wins | Manufacturer | Years won |
|---|---|---|
| 5 |  Honda |
1965, 1987, 1988, 1989, 2021 |
| 3 | Climax |
1962, 1963, 1964 |
 Ford * |
1967, 1968, 1969 | |
| Mercedes |
2015, 2016, 2019 | |
| 2 | Ferrari |
1970, 1990 |
| Renault |
1991, 1992 | |
 TAG Heuer ** |
2017, 2018 | |
| Source: | ||
* Built by Cosworth, funded by Ford
** Built by Renault
Winners by Year
Here is a list of all the winners of the Mexican Grand Prix over the years.
- A pink background means the race was not part of the Formula One World Championship.
- Since 2021, the event has been called the "Mexico City Grand Prix".
Images for kids
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The Hermann Tilke renovated Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez circuit (2015–present)
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The Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez circuit used in 1986–1992
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The original Magdalena Mixhuca circuit used in 1962–1970
See also
In Spanish: Gran Premio de México para niños
