F1 Mexican GP: 5 memorable moments

The Mexican Grand Prix is next on the cards on our journey to the end of this memorable Formula One season, and it couldn't be more important in the context of the World Championship.

Championship leader Lewis Hamilton could wrap up the title this weekend and clinch his fifth winner's trophy in the process, making it true Mercedes domination in the past few years.

Last time out in the United States, Kimi Raikkonen shocked the world with his first victory since 2013, and Hamilton's uncharacteristic strategy failure led to the Brit failing to secure the title in Austin itself. This time around, however, things promise to be more straightforward.

Hamilton's title rival Sebastian Vettel isn't faring too well at the moment, but Mexico could change that, and perhaps give the German some consolation in what has been a miserable second half of the campaign for the Ferrari driver. This particular venue has given us fond memories in the past, and here are a few of them:

#5 Jim Clark wins race despite lack of clutch

The 1967 Mexican GP was held at the Ciudad Deportiva Magdalena Mixhuca at a time when motorsport in the region was really taking off.

British driver Jim Clark was really enjoying driving at this circuit and indeed in Mexico, and managed to win the 1967 race by around a minute.

What's interesting, however, is that he did it without the use of his clutch for much of the race. Technology obviously wasn't as advanced back then but Clark drove brilliantly to fend off his competitors and drove all the way to the chequered flag. Kiwi driver Denny Hulme won his only World Championship here, by finishing third and promoting the sport richly in his native land.

#4 Mexican GP returns in 2015

The 2015 Mexican GP was memorable as it was the first time a race was being organized in the country since 1992. Drivers were excited to be returning to a place where racing has been prevalent since time immemorial, and it showed when the lights went out.

Nico Rosberg established himself as a front-runner after it became clear a race prior that his teammate Lewis Hamilton had clinched the World Championship in the United States. Rosberg showed his class in qualifying as well as in the final race on Sunday, winning the returning race in the process and grabbing some momentum towards the end of the campaign.

It was also a special day for Sergio Perez in his Force India as an entire nation united in support of the Mexican as he made his way up the field. Perez finished eighth in the end, behind his teammate Nico Hulkenberg, but was overwhelmed by the support he received from his home crowd.

#3 Michael Schumacher wins first podium ever in 1992

1992 proved to be the final Mexican GP till 2015 when it re-emerged, but a young Michael Schumacher would know nothing about that back then. F1's most recognizable driver in its history will always consider Mexico close to his heart as he secured his first ever podium here in 1992.

The race was won by Nigel Mansell in the end, but Schumacher was competitive throughout the race weekend, and there were signs that greatness wasn't too far away. Mansell was clearly the leader of the pack from the get-go but a calm drive from Schumi ensured that his Benetton-Ford made headlines around the world.

It was a special day for the Williams-Renault team, with Mansell and his Italian partner Riccardo Patrese securing a memorable 1-2 finish for the team. 1992 was indeed, the perfect way for Mexico to take a hiatus from F1.

#2 Lewis Hamilton clinches fourth World Championship in 2017

The 2017 Mexican GP was an exciting race to watch, and indeed be a part of. Lewis Hamilton was on the verge of a fourth Championship crown heading into this race, and all sorts of drama ensued as the Brit looked to secure the title.

Despite finishing in pole, Sebastian Vettel looked visibly unsettled and was involved in contact that pushed himself and Hamilton down the pack, the latter with a puncture too. Vettel battled back to finish fourth in the end, and Hamilton could only manage a lowly ninth, but it was enough for the Mercedes driver to win the Championship and celebrate his achievement.

At the front of the field, Max Verstappen took advantage of the chaos and drove maturely to win the race and subsequently establishing himself as F1's next big thing.

#1 Ferrari claim memorable one-two in 1990

Ferrari claimed the top two spots on the podium

Widely considered the greatest Mexican GP of all time, the 1990 edition had drama aplenty. This was one of those races that will stick in the memory of racing fans forever and for good reason.

Ferrari claimed a memorable one-two here after an inspired drive from Alain Prost and from Nigel Mansell. Prost actually started the race in the thirteenth position after a dismal qualifying session, but somehow managed to pick apart the rest of the field one by one till he made it to his arch nemesis in Ayrton Senna.

A memorable battle ensued between the pair but the Frenchman capitalised on his ailing opponent and secured the race lead. Senna had to give up a strong position due to a damaged tire and couldn't complete the race. Mansell, on the other hand, just managed to fend off Gerhard Berger to keep second place intact and bring up a sensational one-two finish for Ferrari when nobody expected it.

Edited by Prathik R