Daniel Ricciardo at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez Circuit

In November Formula 1 will return to Mexico for the first time in 23 years. The Mexican Grand Prix will be run at the new 17-turn, 2.7-mile Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez circuit in Mexico City.

Infiniti Red Bull Racing driver Daniel Ricciardo is the first F1 competitor to get time on the new circuit. He did so in an Infiniti Q50 Hybrid as well as an Formula 1 car.

For more about Daniel Ricciardo and the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez circuit click past the jump (or scroll down if you came directly to the full article).

Before taking to the track Ricciardo toured the pit and paddock areas that are still under construction. He then got behind the wheel of the Q50 and took the first lap before being joined by Scuderia Toro Rosso driver Carlos Sainz who drove the World Championship-winning RB7 Formula One car. The two traded cars the rest of their time on the circuit.

“It was really cool to come and see how the circuit is coming along and to drive around it in the Q50 Hybrid,” said Ricciardo. “It 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 the tickets are already sold out, so it will be a pretty special atmosphere here that’s for sure.”

Commenting on the event, Tommaso Volpe, Global Director of Infiniti Formula One added: “Mexico is one of our fastest-growing global markets, so to become the first car brand to lap the new circuit ahead of the grand prix with Daniel behind the wheel is a testament to our commitment to the business in Latin America.”