A stellar F1 young talent tragically cut short

The Mexican Grand Prix weekend is in the rearview mirror, but today we cast our minds back to perhaps the most tragic moment in the country’s motorsport history.

As almost everyone knows, the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez was named after the revered Rodriguez brothers, Pedro and Ricardo.

Over half a century before Max Verstappen’s stunning ascent through the ranks, Ricardo Rodriguez enjoyed a mercurial rise of his own, winning his first international event - a sportscar race at Riverside in 1957 - at just 15!

His talent in sportscar racing eventually earned him an F1 race debut, with Ferrari at the 1961 Italian Grand Prix. As the youngest man ever to race among the elite Rodriguez qualified an astonishing second, just one tenth behind team mate Wolfgang von Trips and in front of future world champion Phil Hill.

He retired in the race, but Enzo Ferrari took notice and duly signed the youngster for a full season in 1962.

The Scuderia's cars had lost their edge unfortunately that year and the team took a pass on the season-ending races and on the inaugural non-championship event in Mexico City.

Desperate to race on home soil, young Ricardo was recruited by Rob Walker's private Lotus team.

Alas, in his quest to beat his rivals in qualifying, the small Mexican lost control of his car for an unknown reason at the track's daunting Peraltada turn.

Ricardo Rodriguez was killed on this day in 1962 at the age of 20, and Formula 1 had lost one of its brightest talents.

Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.