From Ferrari Wiki

Ricardo Rodríguez

FIA Super Licence Mexico
Formula One World Championship career
Active years	1961 Formula One season - 1962 Formula One season
Teams	Ferrari
Races	6 (5 starts)
Wins	0
Podiums	0
Career points	4
Pole position	0
Fastest lap	0
First race	1961 Italian Grand Prix
Last race	1962 Italian Grand Prix

Ricardo Rodríguez (14 February 1942, Mexico City - 1 November 1962, Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, Mexico City ^[1]) was a Mexico Racing driver who competed in the 1961 Formula One season and 1962 Formula One season. His elder brother, Pedro Rodriguez (racing driver), was also a noted racing driver who had much success in Sports car racing and Formula One.

Rodríguez was a child cycling champion who switched to motorcycles in domestic competition from the age of 14. He won several national motorcycle titles, before taking up Saloon car racing in his own Fiat Topolino. In 1957 he made his international debut at Riverside, beating all comers in the under 1.5 litre class in a Porsche RS. He then won his class in a Porsche in the Nassau Tourist Trophy. He often raced for the North American Racing Team (NART) with his brother Pedro, although he would also enter cars under his father's name. He was refused an entry at 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1956 24 Hours of Le Mans, but went back in 1959 to race an O.S.C.A. in the 750cc. class. In the 1960 24 Hours of Le Mans he partnered André Pilette to second place; at 18 years of age, the youngest ever to stand on the podium at Le Mans.

Rodríguez was given a guest drive by Ferrari for the 1961 Italian Grand Prix, qualifying a surprise second. In the race he exchanged the lead with Phil Hill and Richie Ginther many times, until a fuel pump failure ended his race. He was the youngest ever F1 driver at that time. 1962 saw a full works drive with Ferrari, who used him sparingly considering his age and rough edges. Whenever used, Rodríguez shone, taking second at the Pau Grand Prix, fourth at the 1962 Belgian Grand Prix and sixth at the 1962 German Grand Prix in a tough year in Formula One for Ferrari. He also won the Targa Florio with Olivier Gendebien and Willy Mairesse.

Rodríguez was considered a potential future champion already, but was left without a drive when Ferrari opted not to enter the non-Championship 1962 Mexican Grand Prix. He signed to drive Rob Walker Racing Team Team Lotus, but died during the first day of practice, when he inexplicably failed to brake for the fearsome Peraltada corner, and entered the banked turn far too fast, hitting the barriers at the exit. He was 20 years old and his death provoked national mourning in Mexico.

The Scuderia Rodríguez A.C. (a family foundation) keeps his memory, and that of his brother alive. It serves as register for Rodríguez memorabilia and cars, certifying them, and its Secretary General Carlos Jalife will publish the first volume of the Rodríguez biography in 2006, with the second to follow shortly.^{[Ricardo Rodríguez (racing driver)]}

Complete Formula One World Championship results

(F1 driver results legend 2)

Year	Entrant	Chassis	Engine	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	WDC	Points
1961 Formula One season	Scuderia Ferrari	Ferrari Ferrari 156	Ferrari V6 engine	1961 Monaco Grand Prix	1961 Dutch Grand Prix	1961 Belgian Grand Prix	1961 French Grand Prix	1961 British Grand Prix	1961 German Grand Prix	1961 Italian Grand Prix Ret	1961 United States Grand Prix		NC	0
1962 Formula One season	Scuderia Ferrari	Ferrari Ferrari 156	Ferrari V6 engine	1962 Dutch Grand Prix Ret	1962 Monaco Grand Prix DNS	1962 Belgian Grand Prix 4	1962 French Grand Prix	1962 British Grand Prix	1962 German Grand Prix 6	1962 Italian Grand Prix Ret	1962 United States Grand Prix	1962 South African Grand Prix	13th	4

Preceded by Wolfgang Von Trips	List of Formula One fatal accidents November 1, 1962	Succeeded by Gary Hocking
Records
Preceded by Troy Ruttman 20 years, 80 days (1950 Indianapolis 500)	List of Formula One driver records 19 years, 208 days (1961 Italian Grand Prix)	Succeeded by Mike Thackwell 19 years, 182 days (1980 Canadian Grand Prix)
Preceded by Bruce McLaren 21 years, 253 days (1959 Monaco Grand Prix)	List of Formula One driver records 20 years, 123 days (1962 Belgian Grand Prix)	Succeeded by Jenson Button 20 years, 67 days (2000 Brazilian Grand Prix)

References