Pedro Rodríguez (racing driver)
Pedro Rodríguez de la Vega (18 January 1940 – 11 July 1971) was a Mexican racing driver. He began his Formula One career in 1963, won the 1967 South African Grand Prix in a Cooper and the 1970 Belgian Grand Prix in a BRM. He was the older brother of Ricardo Rodríguez.
Rodríguez at the 1968 German Grand Prix | |
| Born | 18 January 1940 Mexico City, Mexico |
|---|---|
| Died | 11 July 1971 (aged 31) Norisring, Nuremberg, West Germany |
| Formula One World Championship career | |
| Nationality | Mexican |
| Active years | 1963–1971 |
| Teams | Ferrari, Lotus, Cooper, BRM |
| Entries | 55 |
| Championships | 0 |
| Wins | 2 |
| Podiums | 7 |
| Career points | 71 |
| Pole positions | 0 |
| Fastest laps | 1 |
| First entry | 1963 United States Grand Prix |
| First win | 1967 South African Grand Prix |
| Last win | 1970 Belgian Grand Prix |
| Last entry | 1971 French Grand Prix |
| 24 Hours of Le Mans career | |
|---|---|
| Years | 1958–1971 |
| Teams | NART OSCA Automobili SpA Ferrari SEFAC John Wyer Automotive |
| Best finish | 1st (1968) |
| Class wins | 1 (1968) |
Both brothers started racing at an early age, first on motorbikes and then moving to cars. Following his brother's death in a racing accident in 1962, Pedro briefly considered retiring from racing, but decided to carry on. In sports car racing his first major win was with his brother in the 1961 Paris 1000km, driving a Ferrari 250 GT. He won the 1968 24 Hours of Le Mans in a Ford GT40 and in 1970-71 he won eight races in a Porsche 917.
He was killed at the Norisring in Nuremberg, West Germany, on 11 July 1971 driving a Ferrari 512 M in an Interserie sports car race.