The Rodríguez brothers are probably the two best pilots that Mexico has given to the world. Not just because of the number of wins they got; but also because they were the forerunners of a sport that is not common and deadlier than it is today.
Both left their blood on the asphalt, but not before placing the name of their country on the records of races as important as 24 Hours of Le Mans, 3 Hours of Daytona, 2000 Kilometers Daytonathe High Endurance World Championship and of course the Formula 1.
Pedro Rodríguez, ‘The Cat’s Eyes’ of Formula 1
To give us an idea of the good performance of Pedro Rodriguezwe must say that in F1 it was named as ‘The Cat’s Eyes‘, given its precision when driving in rainy, foggy and dark night conditions.
While his brother Ricardo Rodríguez dazzled at the 24 Hours of Le Mans and later became the youngest driver to reach Formula 1with only 19 years of age.
They were sons of the wealthy Mexican Pedro Natalio Rodriguezwho prompted them to sports, it is at this time that Pedro won several cycling races before he was 10 years old.
The beginning of the Rodríguez brothers in motorsport
With the economic advantages they had, they made two cars: a Ferrari 500TR and a porsche rs, the first from Pedro and the second from Ricardo. It was 1957, Pedro was then 17 years old and his brother Ricardo 15; participated the first in bahamas circuit and the second in the river side.
But its internationalization did not stop there. The following year, that is, 1958, both made history by being the first Mexicans to enroll in the 24 hours of Le Mans, although only Pedro was admitted, since his brother was not yet of legal age. But this would only be a temporary separation for the Rodríguez duo.
Ricardo Rodríguez, the youngest driver in Formula 1
Once Ricardo turned 18, he was accepted into that race, running alongside his brother. Although the youngest of the Rodríguez separated in order to enter in 1961 the Formula 1By 1962, a considerable number of fans around the world were already following in his footsteps.
It was in that year that the F1 confirmed an exhibition run at the Magdalena Mixhuca racetrackwould be the opportunity for the youngest of the Rodriguez to shine before his people, however Ferrari, the house for which he ran, did not agree to travel to Mexico because it was not an official competition.
The death of Ricardo Rodríguez in Mexico
But Ricardo wanted to show off to his countrymen, so he requested special permission for the company to Lotus lend you one of his vehicles. And so it was, she showed up at the mexican track aboard the Lotus-Climax. However he died at a speed of 150 kilometers per hour in The Peralteda controversial curve of 15 degrees that served to turn 180 degrees in the opposite direction.
With the tragedy of his brother making noise in his head so that he would leave the tracks, Pedro participated 14 consecutive years in the 24 Hours of Le Mans; he obtaining in 1968 a historic victory aboard a Ford GT40.
During that time he also won the 3 hours from Daytona in 1963, as well as the 2000 kilometers of Daytona 1964 with the Ferrari 250 GTO. He then triumphed in the World Endurance Championship with a porsche 917 and got seven podiums in the Formula 1.
The death of Pedro Rodríguez in Germany
In 1971, the eldest of the Rodríguez brothers was one of the figures most likely to win the F1 title; but he was convinced to participate in a race in Nuremberg, Germany, same that was not within Pedro’s competition program. It was there that he died on July 11 of the aforementioned year.
The remains of the Rodríguez brothers lie in the Spanish Pantheon From Mexico City.
Get to know the Hermanos Rodríguez Autodrome, here!
Joshua Huerta Traveler who, in addition to life experiences, is after the click.