Daniel Ricciardo and Carlos Sainz sample new grand prix venue in Mexico City

Infiniti Red Bull Racing driver Daniel Ricciardo and Toro Rosso driver Carlos Sainz have made history by becoming the first of the current Formula One grid to drive the newly redesigned Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez circuit in Mexico City.
 
After a tour of the pit and paddock facilities, still under construction, Ricciardo completed the first ever lap of the newly-configured track behind the wheel of a 3.5 litre, 320PS Infiniti Q50 Hybrid. He was then joined by Scuderia Toro Rosso driver Carlos Sainz in the World Championship-winning RB7 Formula One car, with the pair driving a number of parts of the track in both cars, including the all-new and highly unique stadium section.
 
Once complete, the 17-turn, 2.7 mile (4.3km) circuit will return to the F1 calendar in November with the first Mexican Grand Prix for 23 years.
 
Commenting on his experience in Mexico, Daniel Ricciardo said: “It was really cool to come and see how the circuit is coming along and to drive around it in the Q50 Hybrid. It clearly has a good mix of fast and slow corners which I think will be a real challenge in an F1 car, so I’m looking forward to racing here later in the season. I heard that the tickets are already sold out, so it will be a pretty special atmosphere here that’s for sure.”
 
Commenting on the event, Tommaso Volpe, Global Director of Infiniti Formula One added: “Mexico is one of our fastest-growing global markets, so to become the first car brand to lap the new circuit ahead of the grand prix with Daniel behind the wheel is a testament to our commitment to the business in Latin America.”