Born |
Mexico City, Mexico |
14 February 1942
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Died | 1 November 1962 Mexico City, Mexico |
(aged 20)
Formula One World Championship career | |
Nationality | Mexican |
Active years | 1961 – 1962 |
Teams | Ferrari |
Entries | 6 (5 starts) |
Wins | 0 |
Podiums | 0 |
Career points | 4 |
Pole positions | 0 |
Fastest laps | 0 |
First entry | 1961 Italian Grand Prix |
Last entry | 1962 Italian Grand Prix |
24 Hours of Le Mans career | |
---|---|
Participating years | 1959, 1960, 1961 and 1962 |
Teams |
OSCA Automobili N.A.R.T. SpA Ferrari SEFAC |
Best finish | 2nd (1960) |
Ricardo Valentín Rodríguez de la Vega (14 February 1942 in Mexico City, Mexico – 1 November 1962 in Mexico City, Mexico) was a Mexican racing driver who competed in the 1961 and 1962 Formula One seasons. His elder brother, Pedro, was also a noted racing driver who had much success in sports car racing and Formula One.
Rodríguez was born in Mexico City and was a child cycling champion who switched to motorcycles in domestic competition from the age of 14. He was the third son from the marriage of Pedro Natalio Rodríguez and Concepción "Conchita" (née de la Vega), he had four brothers and sisters, Pedro, Federico, Conchita and Alejandro.
He was married to Sara (née Cardoso) in July 1961 but left no children. In the summer of 1962 his close friend, Jo Ramírez, would accompany Ricardo to his adventure in Europe.
He won several national motorcycle titles, before taking up saloon car racing in his own Fiat Topolino. In 1957 he made his international debut at Riverside, beating all comers in the under 1.5 litre class in a Porsche RS. He then won his class in a Porsche Spyder in the Nassau Tourist Trophy. He often raced for the North American Racing Team (NART) with his brother Pedro, although he would also enter cars under his father's name.