Today, July 11, marks the 50th anniversary of the death of legendary Mexican driver Pedro Rodríguez, who lost his life during the 200 Miles of Nuremberg at the Norisring Circuit (Germany) in 1971. 

Pedro Rodríguez passed away at the age of 31 when he was at the height of his career and rubbed shoulders with the greatest motorsports figures. His multiple achievements in the most demanding and relevant motoring disciplines are evidence of his excellent trajectory. 

Pedro Rodriguez won the 24 Hours of Le Mans (1968), the 24 of Daytona (1970, 71) as well as two Formula 1 GPs (South Africa 1967 and Belgium 1970), something that no other Mexican has ever achieved. He also shone in other categories such as NASCAR, CanAm or rallying, demonstrating his versatility… and speed. 

Nicknamed ‘cat eyes‘ for his skill at driving in the rain and at night, Pedro Rodríguez captivated legions of fans on both sides of the Atlantic and the most prominent brands of the time (Ferrari & Porsche), trusted him with their latest machines. 

A week before the tragedy, Pedro Rodríguez had won the 1,000 km of Österreichring with a Porsche 917K. It was with that same model that he had reaped multiple previous victories, among others, the 24 Hours of Daytona, the 1,000 km of Spa-Francorchamps or the 1,000 km of Monza. 

During the previous season, he had taken his (and Mexico’s) second Formula One GP at the Spa-Francorchamps Circuit in Belgium 1970 after his maiden F1 victory at the South African GP three years earlier in1967. 

An offer Pedro Rodríguez couldn’t say no to 

Aware of his appeal with fans, always synonymous with a big box office at any event, Herbert Muller gave Rodrigez the chance to compete in a round of the Sports Series in Germany with one of his Ferrari 512Ms. 

 Pedro Rodríguez Swiss colleague, with whom he had participated in the Targa Fiorio that year, offered him five thousand dollars to participate, the equivalent of a half-season Formula One salary with BRM. 

In the end, he agreed to take part in the Nüremberg 200 Miles at the Norisring, a dangerous, urban track, if Porsche, where he was an official driver, gave him the go-ahead. Surprisingly, and despite the fact that his contract included a clause that could have prevented him from competing, the German managers gave their approval. 

 Pedro Rodríguez started the race in the first place and held that position until tragedy struck on the eleventh lap. His Ferrari suddenly hit the base of a bridge and his car went up in flames immediately.

Despite being rescued from the fire alive by track marshals, he died at the Nuremberg municipal hospital at 3:30 p.m. from multiple fractures, burns and a succession of heart attacks. 

The tragedy came as a deep shock causing tremendous grief among his countrymen, suddenly orphaned of a hero and a pioneer, who had proudly carried the name of Mexico around the world. 

Pedro Rodríguez in Formula 1  

During the nine seasons (1963-71) that he competed in Formula 1, he took part in 54 Grands Prix with Lotus (5), Ferrari (8), Cooper (8) and BRM (33) achieving two victories and seven podiums.  

He and his brother Ricardo Rodríguez, together with Moisés Solana, Héctor Rebaque, Esteban Gutiérrez and Sergio Pérez, are the only six Mexican drivers to have ever competed in Formula One and only he and Pérez have ever taken victories in the top category of racing with two wins each. 

Images of Pedro Rodríguez: Wikipedia.