Yuki Tsunoda suffers latest Mexico City retirement before grand prix

It was not the show-run Yuki Tsunoda had hoped for.

A few hours before the start of the Mexico City Grand Prix, Tsunoda took to the Autodromo Hermanos Rodríguez in the fabulous Honda RA272.

The outing was designed to commemorate Honda's first victory in F1, almost 60 years ago to the day. The race that year was staged at the Ciudad Deportiva Magdalena Mixhuca.

Although Lotus' Jim Clark, champion that year, started on pole position for the race on October 24, it was American Richie Ginther who took the chequered flag after 65 laps for his first, and only, victory in F1.

As the 10th and final grand prix of the season, Ginther and Honda's triumph was the only one not won by a British manufacturer or a British driver.

By way of celebration, Tsunoda took to the wheel of the car Ginther drove that famous day for Honda. Sadly, it did not end well as after completing half a lap, Red Bull's Japanese driver was unable to select second gear, eventually crawling to a halt between Turns 3 and 4.

It was effectively Tsunoda's fourth 'retirement' in five drives at the circuit after crashing out in the grands prix in 2021, 2022, and again last year.