Mexican Grand Prix 1991 - Race Schedule and Countdown

Riccardo Patrese claimed his first victory of the 1991 season at the Mexican Grand Prix, leading Williams to their first one-two finish of the year and signaling that the team was finally ready to challenge McLaren's dominance. The Italian veteran controlled the race from pole position, demonstrating smooth and consistent pace to hold off his aggressive teammate Nigel Mansell. Patrese's measured performance highlighted his experience and racecraft, proving he remained a formidable competitor despite often living in Mansell's shadow.

Nigel Mansell finished second after a hard-charging drive from third on the grid, pushing Patrese throughout but unable to find a way past his teammate. The result represented Williams' growing competitiveness and the effectiveness of their FW14's active suspension system, which gave them a significant advantage over the bumpy Mexico City circuit. Ayrton Senna salvaged third place for McLaren, limiting the damage in the championship after being outpaced by both Williams cars throughout the weekend.

The race marked a turning point in the 1991 season, demonstrating that Williams-Renault had developed their package to the point where they could dominate weekends when everything came together. The one-two finish served notice that McLaren's technical superiority was under serious threat, and that the championship battle might not be as straightforward as Senna's early-season dominance had suggested. However, Williams' inability to match McLaren's reliability would ultimately cost them in the championship fight.