Pedro Rodríguez de la Vega (January 18, 1940 – July 11, 1971) was a Mexican racing driver who raced in Formula 1 between 1963 and 1971. He has driven for Lotus, Ferrari, Cooper, BRM, and Parnell, with a total of two Grand Prix wins and five additional podium finishes.
Rodríguez was also the older brother of fellow Formula 1 driver Ricardo Rodríguez, and was also the most recent Mexican race winner in Formula 1 until Sergio Pérez won the 2020 Sakhir Grand Prix. The Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez was also named after the two brothers, which currently hosts the Mexico City Grand Prix.
Early Formula 1 Appearances
Between 1963 and 1966, Rodríguez made several Grand Prix starts in Lotus and Ferrari machinery. His first Formula 1 points came at the 1964 Mexican Grand Prix where he finished sixth, while driving for the North American Racing Team (NART).
Cooper
Rodríguez was signed by Cooper for 1967, and won his first race with the British team. Despite sitting out for three rounds due to injury, the Mexican driver finished the season sixth overall in the drivers’ standings and well ahead of his more experienced teammate Jochen Rindt.
BRM
BRM signed Rodríguez for the 1968 season, which yielded moderate success with three podium finishes. The Mexican driver again finished sixth overall.
Parnell, Scuderia Ferrari, and NART
Rodríguez began 1969 with the Parnell BRM privateer team. He left after three uncompetitive rounds, and spent the remainder of the season racing for Ferrari in both traditional Scuderia Ferrari colors as well as NART liveries.
Return to BRM
A last minute departure by John Surtees opened up a return to BRM for Rodríguez, who spent the remainder of his Formula 1 career with his old team. He took his second and final career Grand Prix win at the 1970 Beltian Grand Prix, followed by two more podiums at the United States Grand Prix and the Dutch Grand Prix in the following season.
Rodríguez’s final Formula 1 start was at the 1971 French Grand Prix. He was killed a week later at a sports car race in Germany.
Scuderia Rodríguez by Hublot
In 2011, Hublot announced the Big Bang Aero Bang Scuderia Rodríguez (ref. 311.PQ.1129.HR.MEX11) to commemorate the Mexican driver. The commemorative chronograph featured a gold and carbon fiber case, his printed signature on the crystal, a chronograph second hand in the colors of the Mexican flag, and the Scuderia Rodríguez logo on the case back. A Scuderia Rodríguez model was also dedicated to his brother, and announced at the same time.
A second model in titanium (ref. 311.TQ.1129.HR.MEX11) was also released at some point, and was limited to 25 pieces.
Related Pages
References
https://noticias.autocosmos.com.mx/2011/10/10/edicion-especial-de-relojes-hublot-en-honor-de-los-hermanos-rodriguez
https://grailzee.com/products/hublot-big-bang-aerobang?srsltid=AfmBOorS1nFdpRXqrJNi5Dom-omn0l8yjPrZWvniQ0ulSXOGYc6KbWvr&
https://www.watches.co.uk/watch/15469s/hublot-aero-big-bang-scuderia-rodriguez-limited-edition-311.qx.1129.hr.mex11/HU-15469S
https://happyjewelers.com/products/hublot-big-bang-44mm-openwork-dial-watch-ref-311-tq-1129-hr-mex11
https://store.shopping.yahoo.co.jp/gc-yukizaki/w169211.html