Ricciardo tests new Mexican F1 track

MEXICO CITY, Mexico - Red Bull Racing driver Daniel Ricciardo has made history by becoming the first driver on the current Formula a grid to drive the newly redesigned Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez circuit in Mexico City.

After a tour of still-under-construction pits-'n-paddock facilities Ricciardo completed the first lap of the reconfigured track at the wheel of a 3.5-litre, 222kW, Infiniti Q50 hybrid.

FIRST MEXICAN GP IN 23 YEARS

He was later joined by Toro Rosso driver Carlos Sainz in a championship-winning RB7 F1 car; each drove a number of parts of the track in each car, including the all-new stadium section.

The 17-turn, 4.3km, circuit will return to the F1 calendar in November 2015 for the first Mexican GP in 23 years.

IMAGE GALLERY: Ricciardo drives new Mexico GP track

Commenting on his experience in Mexico, Ricciardo said: "It was really cool to see how the circuit is coming along and to drive it in the Q50 hybrid. It's 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 tickets are already sold-out so it will be a pretty special atmosphere."

READ: 2015 Mexico GP already sold out

Commenting on the event, Tommaso Volpe, director of Infiniti Formula One, said: "Mexico is among our fastest-growing markets so to become the first car brand to lap the new circuit ahead of the GP with Daniel at the wheel is a testament to our commitment to the business in Latin America."

NEW FRONTIERS: Red Bull driver (foreground) Daniel Ricciardo drives on the new Mexico GP track in his F1 car, the first current F1 driver to do so. Image: Newspress

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