Date 22 March 1992 | Course length 4.421 km (2.758 mi) | |
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Official name XV Gran Premio de México Location Autódromo Hermanos Rodriguez, Mexico City, Mexico Course Permanent racing facility Distance 69 laps, 305.049 km (190.299 mi) | ||
The 1992 Mexican Grand Prix was a Formula One motor race held at Mexico City on 22 March 1992. It was the second round of the 1992 Formula One season. The race was won by Nigel Mansell ahead of his teammate Riccardo Patrese, with Michael Schumacher achieving his first of an eventual 155 podiums in Formula One. It was also the last time the race was held on the circuit until its rebirth in 2015, where the circuit saw several changes including the banked Peraltada corner being changed and the new stadium section becoming the new final part of the track.
Contents
Background
On February 20, 1992 Mexico city officials put out a smog alert due to the dangerous air pollution levels in the city. Alerts mandated restrictions on operating heavy motorized equipment. The Mexican Grand Prix committee had to delay work paving sections of the track. During Friday's practice Ayrton Senna hit one of the bumps in the Esses, crashed his McLaren, and injured his leg, but was fit for qualifying. Alex Caffi and Enrico Bertaggia again hoped to race for the Andrea Moda team here (formerly known as Coloni before being taken over by Andrea Sassetti) but were awaiting new cars so did not compete.
Qualifying
This was the first time that neither Brabham made the grid. Stefano Modena had to start from the pit lane. Nigel Mansell was obliged to switch to the spare Williams FW14B car for qualifying but this did not faze him and he went pole alongside teammate Riccardo Patrese.
Race
Nigel Mansell dominated the race straight from the pole position, finishing the race 12 seconds ahead of Patrese and 21 seconds ahead of Michael Schumacher.