1970 Mexican Grand Prix
The Grand Prix of Mexico in 1970 took place on 25 October in Mexico City and was the thirteenth and final round of the Formula 1 season 1970.
- 3.1 Start -up
- 3.2 race
- 4.1 Drivers' Championship
- 4.2 Constructors' Championship
Reports
Background
Since the drivers 'world championship had already been decided in the Constructors' Championship no major changes more were to be expected and the organizers had also announced already that only a maximum of 18 vehicles would be allowed to start, traveled out of the private team of Rob Walker, only the factory teams to Mexico, in contrast to most previous runs of the season each at most two drivers were reported per team.
Training
The training was once again dominated by the battle for pole position between the two Ferrari 312B by Jacky Ickx and Clay Regazzoni and the Tyrrell 001 Jackie Stewart. Emerson Fittipaldi, who won the U.S. Grand Prix two weeks earlier, it did not matter. He had the whole weekend to contend with engine problems. Two of its three engine damage occurred already during the training times, so he could only qualify for the last spot. Regazzoni finally secured the pole ahead of Stewart, Ickx and Jack Brabham, who announced to end his career after this race.
Race
On race day the leaders were surprised by a huge crowd of an estimated 150,000 to 200,000 people who could hardly be brought under control. Since the morning, more and more viewers flocked to the race track, so that the space in the designated safety areas were rapidly too tight. The crowd broke through the Absprerrungen and penetrated to be applied directly to the track. Officials were trying to bring people to their senses. Also insistent appeals of last year's world champion Jackie Stewart and local hero Pedro Rodríguez to the fans showed only limited effect. It was discussed whether to cancel the race because it was not really justifiable under the circumstances, but the organizers were afraid in this case, an uprising of the audience.
After it had succeeded, at least temporarily push back the spectators from the most dangerous areas, the race was finally started an hour late. Regazzoni initially took the lead, but was ousted in the second round by Ickx from this position. This was then not more from the top spot to the finish. Even Stewart overtook Regazzoni, but had a short time later to the pits to have his steering. After the pit stop, he succeeded again catch up with the leading group. Meanwhile, the audience had advanced again to the edge of the track. Some of them even made a game of it to cross the runway between the racing by racing cars. Jackie Stewart finally retired on lap 27 after a collision with a spilled onto the track dog, since his suspension was damaged. The third place was taken by Jack Brabham then, until he one of the numerous engine failures of the weekend suffered in round 52 and thus could not finish the last race of his career.
During the last rounds, the audience took the route once more and more. Immediately after crossing the finish line of the leading Ickx was even completely overrun by the audience, so that the subsequent a driver to drive only with a significantly reduced speed through the finish the line start to finish. Denis Hulme ultimately took third place behind the winning Ferrari drivers.
Despite the chaotic conditions no one was injured. Consequences there anyway, because among other things because of these events no Grand Prix was held in Mexico over the next 15 years.
Message list
Classifications
Line-up
Race
WM stands after the race
The first six of the race were 9, 6, 4, 3, 2 and 1 point (s).