The 1986 Mexican Grand Prix marked Gerhard Berger's first Formula One victory and the first win for the Benetton team, while keeping the drivers' championship undecided until Adelaide.
Key Facts
- Race date
- October 12, 1986
- Circuit
- Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez
- Winner
- Gerhard Berger (Benetton-BMW)
- First Mexican GP since
- 1970
- Peraltada corner speed
- 275 km/h
- Mansell grid position
- 3rd
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
The Mexican Grand Prix returned to the calendar for the first time since 1970 at the renovated Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez. Benetton's use of more durable Pirelli tyres gave them a strategic advantage over rivals on Goodyear rubber, while title contender Nigel Mansell suffered a catastrophic start after failing to engage first gear when the lights went green.
Gerhard Berger, starting from the grid, ran the entire race without a tyre stop, capitalising on Pirelli's durability to take victory — his first in Formula One and Benetton's first as a constructor. Mansell recovered from 18th place on lap one to finish fifth, insufficient to clinch the Drivers' Championship. The turbocharged BMW engine also recorded its final Grand Prix win.
With Mansell failing to secure the title in Mexico, the 1986 World Drivers' Championship went to a three-way decider at the Australian Grand Prix in Adelaide, involving Mansell, Alain Prost — seeking back-to-back titles — and Nelson Piquet, who was aiming for his third championship after winning in 1981 and 1983.