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Facts and Stats: Your guide to the Mexican Grand Prix

2021 Mexican Grand Prix

This weekend, Aston Martin Cognizant Formula One™ Team heads to the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, as Formula One's final triple-header of 2021 begins.

With passionate fans in the unique stadium section creating an authentic festival atmosphere, the Mexican Grand Prix is one of the most atmospheric events of the year.

But this event is more than just an F1 fiesta. Here's everything you need to know about one of the most challenging venues of the season for teams and cars alike.

Mexico first appeared on the Formula One calendar in 1962 as a non-championship event and frequently occupied the season finale billing in its early years on the World Championship calendar.

As such, the race has staged several key Formula One milestones, including a dramatic 1964 title showdown in which John Surtees took a last-gasp Drivers' Championship win over Graham Hill.

In 1968, Hill was once again the centre of attention as the title went down to a straight fight between the Briton, his compatriot Jackie Stewart and New Zealand's Denny Hulme.

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No driver has won more than two World Championship races in Mexico
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Jim Clark scored a 1963 hattrick, taking pole, win and fastest lap
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Pedro Rodríguez has the best finish by a Mexican driver: fourth in 1968
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Six F1 World Championship titles have been won in Mexico

With Hulme suffering an early suspension failure and Stewart battling handling and fuel feed issues throughout the race, Hill took victory and his second Drivers' Championship title.

Jochen Rindt also became F1's only posthumous champion following the 1970 Mexican Grand Prix, a year which would mark the final Grand Prix in Mexico for several decades.

Crowd control issues in 1968 and 1970 contributed to the race's hiatus, as passionate crowds flocked to support home driver Pedro Rodríguez, with out-of-date facilities also playing a role.

While F1 would return to Mexico in 1990-92, a track in poor condition combined with local politics once again led to its cancellation.

However, Mexico made a welcome return to the calendar in 2015, with local hero and ex-Team Silverstone racer Sergio Pérez contributing to a successful rejuvenation of the event.

8.5
The F1 circuit layout has 17 corners in total
10.5
The Mexican GP was absent from F1 for 21 years: 1993-2014
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2021 will mark the 21st Grand Prix to be held in Mexico
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the circuit lies 2240m above sea level

Ahead of Formula One's Mexican resurgence, the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez was modified by renowned designer Hermann Tilke, with both the track itself and surrounding facilities upgraded.

One of the most notable sections of the track is the Turn 7-11 complex, which evokes thoughts of Suzuka's famous opening sector.

Coupled with the now equally famous stadium section, which replaced the legendary banked Peraltada Curve when the circuit was modernised, this is a track full of character and history.

Situated at 2,240m above sea level, the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez is also the highest altitude racetrack on the F1 calendar.

That altitude creates challenges for the car, especially in the turbo-hybrid era, with the turbocharger having to work harder to force air into the engine and ensure a consistent power output.

Cooling is also affected, as air-dependent systems such as the brakes, engine and the gearbox must battle with the altitude effect, forcing teams to run maximised cooling packages.

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Mexican Grand Prix

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Andy Stevenson on Mexico