Wednesday 1st November 1972

Twenty-year-old Ricardo Rodriguez was killed on this day, probably trying a little too hard to impress in qualifying in front of his home ground at the Mexican Grand Prix. He was also out to prove a point to Ferrari who had not entered the non-championship race, leading to him borrowing Rob Walker’s Lotus. He entered the Peraltada corner too fast, ran out of track and ploughed into a barrier. He died instantly. His brother, Pedro, also a driver, considered quitting but carried on. Nine years later he too was killed while racing.