Ricardo Rodríguez Biography: Ricardo Valentn Rodrguez de la Vega was a Mexican racing driver who participated in Formula One in 1961 and 1962.
Ricardo Rodríguez Biography
Ricardo Rodríguez Biography: Rodriguez was born in Mexico City on February 14, 1942, and was a teenage cycling champion before switching to motorbikes in domestic competitions at the age of 11. He was the third son of Pedro Natalio Rodrguez and Concepción “Conchita” de la Vega; he had three brothers and one sister, Pedro, Federico, Conchita, and Alejandro.
Ricardo Rodríguez Wiki
| Name | Ricardo Rodríguez |
| Date Of Birth | February 14, 1942 |
| Birth Place | Mexico City |
| Died | 1 November 1962 |
| Height | N/A |
| Weight | N/A |
| Zodiac Sign | Aquarius |
| Profession | Racing Driver |
| Net Worth | N/A |
| Car Collection | N/A |
Ricardo Rodríguez Personal Life
He married Sara in July 1961, but they had no children.
Also Read: Giancarlo Fisichella Biography, Wiki, Height, Weight, Net Worth, Personal Life, Racing Career & More
Ricardo Rodríguez Career
He won various national motorcycle championships before moving to saloon car racing in his own Fiat Topolino. In 1957, he made his international debut at Riverside, driving a Porsche RS to victory in the under-1.5-liter class. Then, he won his class in the Nassau Tourist Trophy while driving a Porsche Spyder. He frequently raced for the North American Racing Team (NART) alongside his brother Pedro and drove for his team, Scuderia Rodrguez.
In 1958, he was too young to compete at Le Mans (16 years and 106 days), but he returned in 1959 to race an OSCA in the 750cc class. In the 1960 iteration of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, he finished second with André Pilette. He is the youngest driver to ever stand on the podium at Le Mans, at 18 years and 133 days old.
Ferrari gave Rodrguez a guest drive for the 1961 Italian Grand Prix, qualifying second and becoming the youngest driver in history to start from the front row (19 years and 208 days). This record held until Max Verstappen broke it at the 2016 Belgian Grand Prix. Throughout the race, he frequently swapped the lead with Phil Hill and Richie Ginther until a fuel pump failure terminated his run. Due to his age and raw edges, Ferrari employed him sparingly in 1962 despite his full-time work drive. In a problematic Formula One season for Ferrari, Rodrguez excelled whenever he was used, finishing second at the Pau Grand Prix, fourth at the Belgian Grand Prix, and sixth at the German Grand Prix. In a Ferrari 246 SP, he also won the 1962 Targa Florio with Olivier Gendebien and Willy Mairesse.
The 1962 Mexican Grand Prix at the Magdalena Mixiuhca Circuit in Mexico City was a non-championship event, but Rodrguez was left without a ride when Ferrari decided not to participate. He agreed to drive Rob Walker’s Lotus 24, but he was instantly killed on the first day of unofficial practice when the Lotus’ rear right suspension failed at the risky Peraltada turn, and it crashed into the barriers.
