Today, 50 years after the first episodes were shown on Mexican television, anime has become an important part of Mexican culture. Anime streaming giant Crunchyroll estimates Mexico to be its fourth largest market worldwide. The country was an early adopter of the art form and has developed an intense cultural obsession that continues to this day.

How did anime first come to Mexico?

While Mexico and Japan have diplomatic ties dating back centuries, the story behind how anime first arrived in Mexico is rather simple. In the 1970s, then Televisa president Emilio Azcárraga Milmo bought the rights to show Japanese cartoons in Mexico because it was the cheapest option. With no domestic animation industry and the cost of importing cartoons from giants Warner Brothers and Hanna Barbera eye-wateringly high, Milmo looked across the Pacific for content.

These early titles included classic Japanese series such as Astroboy, Kimba the White Lion and Mazinger Z. The imported cartoons proved extremely popular, and Mexican interest in anime grew. 

Fast forward a decade to the 1980s and toy giant Bandai decided to take a chance on this new Mexican market. Fresh off the success of exporting “Saint Seiya: Knights of the Zodiac” to the Spanish market, Bandai hoped to reproduce this success in Latin America. They exported action figures and merchandise from Europe to Mexico, offering TV Azteca the chance to air the series for free, as long as they agreed to run commercials for the new toys alongside. This was a riotous success. 

Mexico’s undisputed champion: Dragon Ball Z

The rush to show the best anime was now on. TV Azteca offered classic series like Sailor Moon, while Televisa imported Ranma ½ — but the biggest hit of all was Dragon Ball Z. The classic show arrived in 1996, and quickly became Mexico’s anime of choice. Thanks to a Latin American Spanish dub, it was possible for audiences across Mexico to enjoy the show without the need for subtitles, which further enhanced its popularity. There have been suggestions that Dragon Ball Z is more popular in Mexico than in its native Japan. Regardless of whether that is true, Dragon Ball, and its subsequent spin-off series, have become one of the most ubiquitous elements of Mexican popular culture today.

It is hard to overstate the subsequent effect that Dragon Ball has had. Taquerías, microbuses and street stalls across the country are bedecked in merchandise to this day. Popular images from the show have become memes. Characters’ catchphrases are used in conversation. When creator Akira Toriyama died earlier this year, there were rumors that warring cartels had ceased hostilities to honor the legendary animator (which turned out to be false). However, large crowds did gather to perform signature “spirit bomb” moves from the show in Toriyama’s honor. 

When the show ended in 2018, the city of Ciudad Juárez attempted to broadcast the finale to a gathering of 15,000 people. The event caused a diplomatic spat between Mexico and Japan after animation studio Toei — and the Japanese Embassy in Mexico — denounced the events for copyright infringement. Fortunately, Mayor Armando Cabada stepped in and reached an agreement with Toei, and the day was saved. 

While globally, Dragon Ball Z has been superseded by smash hits like Pokémon, Naruto, Bleach and One Piece, Akira Toriyama’s classic series remains etched in the national psyche. 

How Mexico has influenced anime

Mexico’s infatuation with Japanese culture is not just a one-way street. There are several anime series that either feature or take place in Mexico. 

• Netflix’s Seis Manos is set in 1970s Mexico and follows the story of a group of martial artists who take on the cartel in the fictional town of San Simon. The series also stars voice acting from veteran Danny Trejo. 
• El Cazador de la Bruja, the story of two girls traveling south to Peru to avenge a murder, primarily takes place in Mexico. The Japanese-made series is considered a homage to Mexican culture, with several songs about tacos. While there is no Spanish language dub, El Cazador de la Bruja is available to watch on Crunchyroll.
• A story of pre-Columbian Mexico, Onyx Equinox follows the story of Izel and her sister Nelli, who are tasked by the gods to save the city from falling into the underworld. The show is a Crunchyroll exclusive.

With shows of all types continuing to be smash hits with audiences, it is unlikely Mexico will tire of this popular Japanese cultural export any time soon.

By Mexico News Daily writer Chris Havler-Barrett

This article is part of Mexico News Daily’s “Japan in Focus” series. Read the other articles from the series here. 

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The area around Real del Monte, Hidalgo is some of the most beautiful countryside in Mexico. The thick forests and high mountains create a temperate climate. Lush green forests cover the mountainside as far as the eye can see. The architecture is unlike any other in Mexico, with tall brick chimneys and Victorian-era mills and mines. Tourists travel from across the country to take in the sites and enjoy an authentic paste, the traditional miners lunch that was baked for the silver miners who once plied their trade in the plentiful mines of the area. 

Thousands of miles away, on England’s southwestern tip, tourists flock to see the tall brick chimneys and Victorian-era mills and mines of Redruth, Cornwall. Many, like in Mexico, enjoy a  traditional miners’ lunch called a pasty. 

Despite hailing from southern England, the pasty has become a revered piece of Mexican cuisine. While Mexico has taken on elements of several countries that have helped shape it over the centuries, few imports have been received so enthusiastically, and have become so deeply ingrained in Mexican culture as the pasty.

From England to Mexico

The British miners hired by the Hidalgan mine syndicate were from the town of Redruth, Cornwall. Armed with cutting-edge British mining technology of the 1800s, around one hundred miners set off with their families making the journey from Falmouth across the Atlantic Ocean. 

The journey was not easy. The port of Veracruz, the original landing point, was blockaded by the Spanish, and the miners were forced to land further away. During the 250-kilometer trek, which lasted 14 months, many Englishmen died. Those who survived the journey found themselves in an unfamiliar world. But as the precious metal finally flowed, more miners eventually came, not just from Redruth, but the surrounding towns of Camborne and Gwennap.

State capital Pachuca’s main square, unusually European in its design, was the product of one of these Camborne transplants. Francis “Francisco” Rule left the town aged just 17 to seek his fortune in Mexico. In Hidalgo, Rule found exactly that and used it to build much of the opulent state capital, including what is now the City Hall, formerly his private residence. The impressive main square, which includes a monumental clock tower that chimes to the same tune as Big Ben and a number of traditionally British buildings including a Methodist Church, was also built thanks to the enormous fortune Rule amassed in Mexico. 

Ultimately, the Mexican Revolution sent many of the unattached Cornishmen back home. Those who had taken Mexican wives however, including Rule himself, stayed. Today, their descendants still proudly carry the names of those who first made the journey. 

From a worker’s lunch to a national icon

But what of the miner’s lunch that has become symbolic of both regions? The Cornish pasty is said to have been invented as a way for miners to eat a filling lunch while remaining hard at work. A hard pastry shell, with a thick braided crust, is filled with meat, potato and swede (or sometimes cheese and onion), and the end with fruit or jam. To eat it, the pasty is held by its thick braid, allowing miners in filthy conditions to eat without dirtying their food any more than necessary. Pasties are small enough that they could be placed in a trouser pocket, and hard enough that they would stay intact until lunchtime.  

The paste, meanwhile, has had an illustrious history in its new country. While the British staple remains staunchly tied to the highly traditional meat and potato or cheese and onion variants, the Mexican version has evolved into a range of flavors that the miners of Redruth could scarcely have imagined. Fillings such as tinga de pollo, hawaiana and of course, mole, have transformed the paste into a perfect representation of the cultural exchange that took place between the two countries. 

The Cornish pasty has spread across the world, becoming popular on almost every continent in one form or another. Despite this prodigious expansion, no country has adopted it as their own in quite the same way as Mexico. Mimicking the popularity of the pasty back in native Britain, where the pastry is often sold as a snack in bakeries, train stations and cafes, the Mexican paste can be found on street corners across the country. In Hidalgo, every neighborhood has a paste shop of its own, and in the old mining towns, there is one on almost every street.

If you’re headed to Real del Monte to try the authentic paste, stop by Pastes el Portal, which makes pastes so good that they took the top prize at the Cornish World Pasty Awards. Manned by a cheerful owner dressed from head to toe in a traditional British Policeman’s uniform, pastes are available in 14 flavors, to eat in or take away (I took 2 boxes last time I visited). The tiny restaurant, which often has a queue, also serves as an impromptu mining museum, and many of the staff are former miners who carry on the paste tradition today.

Hidalgo and Cornwall today

The mines in Hidalgo have long since closed. Tourism has filled the gap, and the annual International Pasty Festival has become a staple of the town. At the inauguration of the first event in 2011, then mayor of Real del Monte Omar Mariano Skewes paid tribute to the food. “Cornish people rebuilt our shattered mining industry giving us work, and now again, after we have lost that industry, the Cornish have given us pastes and a new source of income,” he said. The three-day food festival has since become a huge draw for the region. 

In Cornwall, pasties (unsurprisingly) remain serious business too — and the community recognizes the important role that Mexico plays in the history of the meal. In fact, the Mexican ambassador to the U.K. was an invited guest at the 2022 World Pasty Championship. Britain’s King (then Prince) Charles and Queen Camilla even made a personal appearance in Real del Monte in 2014, joining in the paste making themselves. 

Seven hundred British miners and their families lie at rest at the Panteón Ingles in Real del Monte, having given their lives to building a tiny slice of England deep in the Mexican mountains. In recognition of the life of Francis Rule, Pachuca and Camborne are now sister towns. Redruth and Real de Monte have been twinned since 2008, the bond of their shared history stretching across the ocean. 

By Mexico News Daily writer Chris Havler-Barrett

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How do you perceive Mexico’s role and significance in the global economy, especially concerning its trade relationships?

Mexico matters now and will matter even more in the future. As a rapidly growing member of the top 15 global economies, Mexico is a key player, particularly because of its extensive network of trade agreements and strategic geographic location. 

Mexico has 13 Free Trade Agreements (FTA) with over 50 countries — including the USMCA, CPTPP (which the U.K. is joining), and Pacific Alliance — which provides the country with access to global trade and supply chains across Latin America, Europe, and Asia. Mexico has also emerged as a major manufacturing hub, particularly in the automotive, aerospace, electronics, and medical device industries. Its location and skilled workforce continue to attract huge foreign investment interest. It is no wonder that multinational companies, including many British ones, have established production facilities in Mexico to take advantage of these factors.

Thus, it is no surprise that the world is looking at Mexico, and for us, it is and will continue to be an attractive and dynamic country for U.K. companies to explore, invest and partner with.

Can you provide an overview of the current presence of U.K. businesses in Mexico, including the sectors they are operating in and the scale of their operations?

Trade between the U.K. and Mexico has increased to record levels. In 2023, bilateral trade reached a value of US $8.2 billion, an increase of 22.3% compared to 2022. As for investment, the U.K. is also improving its performance in Mexico as we are now a leading source of foreign direct investment (FDI).

Currently, U.K. companies are operating in Mexico in sectors including tech, infrastructure, automotive, advanced manufacturing, financial and professional services, retail, food and drink, energy, creative and education, life sciences and security, defense and aerospace. In the last five years, British investments have amounted to more than US $5.11 billion and support nearly 50,000 jobs in the country.

From Sonora to Chiapas, British companies are considering how they can grow their presence in Mexico, driven by nearshoring. At the British Embassy, we see many areas of shared opportunity between the U.K. and Mexico. Our role is to spot opportunities and connect companies and investors to explore partnerships. We run dozens of programs with hundreds of companies each year highlighting opportunities in Mexico and opportunities in the U.K. for Mexican companies.

One of our challenges is a lack of knowledge about the strengths the U.K. and Mexico have; ultimately trade and investment are about people connecting and having confidence to partner to do new things. Our people-to-people links are growing, and we find once we have got U.K. companies to visit Mexico, they want to come back and do business.

What are some success stories or notable examples of U.K. companies thriving in the Mexican market?

As the U.K. was the first country to go live with Open Banking, we have collaborated with Mexico’s financial services sector towards financial inclusion. It was brilliant to see that Revolut recently obtained its banking institution license  from Mexico’s National Banking and Securities Commission, their first outside Europe.

Keeping consumers and companies safe is something the U.K. has invested in heavily for many years. I suspect not many readers will have heard of Darktrace, but they are a U.K. AI-powered cyber company that is doing some brilliant work keeping businesses safe. Similarly, Featurespace is helping financial organizations avoid fraud. British Telecom is providing global communication networks for some of Mexico’s most international companies who need safe and secure networks. We can all spot iconic U.K. brands such as Burberry boots, Mini Cooper cars or Phenhaligon’s fragrances, but many of our most successful businesses are more B2B than B2C.

In Mexico, British pharmaceutical companies such as AstraZeneca, Haleon and Reckitt have a strong presence in the country through increased portfolios and manufacturing plants that allow them to not only provide innovative products in the Mexican market but also export for U.S. and Latin American consumers. It’s inspiring to see their efforts to employ more women, make manufacturing more resource efficient and create more employment and growth opportunities. 

Within the food and drink sector, there are well-known successes with iconic spirits like whisky and gin from British companies such as Diageo, William Grant and Sons and Edrington. We also have U.K. beers from Samuel Smith Brewery, Brewdog and Shepheard Neame doing well in Mexico’s highly competitive drinks market. Finally, one of the sectors I care about most is education. Our team has supported U.K. companies such as Pearson, Cambridge English, and Oxford University Press, as well as other small-medium enterprises such as Little Bridge, Manga High and Twig, to expand their presence in Mexico’s educational system. We think bringing high-value-added education products and services is key to supporting Mexico’s talent and growth.  

In the next three years, how do you view Mexico’s economic potential for British businesses, which sectors do you believe hold promise for collaboration and investment, and how do recent shifts in trade dynamics impact the U.K.’s trade relationship with Mexico?

The potential is huge, and we are fortunate to have complementary areas of expertise. The U.K. is a science and technology superpower, so we are identifying where we can bring innovation to support sustainable development and growth. There are many more technologies across many sectors that we want, and are bringing. U.K. cybersecurity companies will better keep consumers and businesses safe. Our Agri-Tech will enable Mexico to produce more food more sustainably, our EdTech can help raise education standards, and MedTechs improve health outcomes. 

The U.K. is still one of the world’s largest manufacturers, but the next wave of U.K.-Mexico collaboration will be in technology-driven services or high-value niche products. These technologies will help Mexico’s largest companies grow more efficiently to consolidate their position on the world stage. Companies going truly global will use the U.K. to access its skills, science, finance and professional services. 

It’s worth noting the potential for U.K. investment and support for Mexico’s infrastructure. We expect to see continued interest in the energy sector. In January, U.K.-headquartered Cubico announced additions to its pipeline of projects that bring its Mexico total pipeline to 2.2GWs. No doubt there will be interest from others to meet the increased need for power and transmission capacity as nearshoring increases. 

The U.K. has made an industry of high-value-added consultancy that is delivering some of the world’s biggest infrastructure projects with partners. In Peru, for example, we are helping the government build schools and hospitals. As well as helping to design, project-manage and deliver infrastructure, we can also bring financing through U.K. Export Finance. We have US $4 billion available for Mexico and hope in the future we can support more projects in the country. 

The advanced engineering sector and electric mobility are obviously a key opportunity. The red double-decker buses on Reforma Avenue in Mexico City are from Scotland, and we could see electric or hybrid buses designed in the U.K. in Mexico in the future. U.K. companies are actively considering investments in the auto sector in response to nearshoring. As mentioned earlier, U.K. pharmaceutical companies represent one of the U.K.’s strongest sectors in Mexico, and we have recently been through a wave of expansions.

I should mention again that we’ve been working on the ratification of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for the Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and think this will help stimulate further interest and investment in Mexico.

Dan Carden, the Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy to Mexico, noted on his visit to Mexico in March how trade agreements and better business-to-business ties will grow our trading relationship. We also see potential growth for British companies across all sectors, and that includes sectors such as food and drink and the creative industries, where Mexico is a fast-growing market for content consumption and creation. We are the world’s sixth largest economy, so the opportunities do span across the whole economy.

Finally, I suspect behind your question is interest in whether Brexit is relevant to future trade prospects. In short, I think it is. Firstly as companies are being encouraged to think more globally and secondly because our CPTPP membership was enabled by us being free to negotiate our membership outside of the E.U., and the same applies to a future trade deal with Mexico. Both deals should make a difference, and companies I talk to are thinking more globally about where future growth will be, and that naturally includes Mexico.

Regarding the U.K.’s relationship with Mexico and the significance of historical ties and the need for a modern approach to bilateralism: how do you perceive the evolution of this relationship, and what do you believe are the key factors driving its current trajectory?

This year, the U.K. and Mexico are celebrating 200 years of diplomatic relations. We’ve worked together to address mutual challenges, and we share strong cultural ties in areas like music, gastronomy, film, sports and education. Our historical bond has led us to achieve incredible results across our partnerships and joint initiatives on climate, political, economic, social and educational issues.

One of the factors that is driving forward our collaboration and partnership is our interest and commitment to develop exciting new areas of cooperation. For us, it is important to find areas of cooperation with the public, private and nongovernmental sectors to tackle challenges like climate change and bolstering clean energies, eliminating gender pay gaps, protecting human rights, and pushing for a safe use of artificial intelligence.

Another element that we are sure will have a positive impact on the U.K.-Mexico relationship and drive it forward is our accession to the CPTPP and a future new trade agreement between Mexico and the U.K. 

How do you envision the U.K.’s role in providing meaningful assistance with significant challenges such as insecurity and climate change? What steps do you plan on taking to advance this?

There are many areas where the U.K. and Mexico are already collaborating on important issues like climate change, gender equality, human rights and cybersecurity. 

One way the U.K. has become a strategic partner for Mexico is through the U.K. Partnering for Accelerated Climate Transitions (UK PACT) program. We are working with state governments to support them with technical capacity and highly specialized expertise to develop and update their environmental laws and regulations. To date, 11 states have passed legislation to help Mexico’s communities protect their ecosystems and address environmental challenges. In addition, we supported Mexico City, Guadalajara and Monterrey with technical assistance for the electrification and upgrading of their Metrobús, Trolleybus and Cablebús units.

Another example of our collaboration is our actions to protect and promote human rights. The first Multilateral and Human Rights Dialogue between Mexico and the United Kingdom was held in January, where we had fruitful and constructive conversations on strengthening efforts on a number of shared multilateral and human rights priorities, including gender equality and the protection of economic, social and cultural rights. 

On cybersecurity and artificial intelligence, the British Embassy’s Science and Innovation Network in Mexico has collaborated with the National Alliance of Artificial Intelligence and the Mexican Academy of Cybersecurity and Digital Law to create a regulatory framework for the responsible use of AI. Part of this effort was the presentation of results from the Regulatory Sandbox Project and the current state of AI in Mexico, which was a joint initiative to foster responsible innovation in this field.

I am sure the strong partnership that Mexico and the U.K. have will only continue to get stronger. 

To read more in the Global Mexico: UK in Focus series, click here.

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As it turns out, there was another, less well remembered Bond film that saw 007 take up arms in Mexico, three decades before Daniel Craig demolished half of the Centro Historico and nearly crashed a helicopter into the Zócalo — one that most people have never heard of. The oft-overlooked “Licence to Kill,” a hard-nosed, realistic revenge thriller released in 1989, was a pioneering film in many ways and one that was quintessentially made in Mexico.

With Coyoacán, Toluca, Cancún and Acapulco standing in for the fictional Republic of Isthmus — a sort of ersatz Colombia/Panama hybrid — Timothy Dalton rampaged through the streets, highways and seas of Mexico. The sixteenth entry in the James Bond canon saw the British secret agent return in a much darker story than audiences were used to, showcasing some of Mexico’s most unique locations in the process.

A new James Bond for a new decade

It was the 1980s. Welsh-born Timothy Dalton had not long come off the back his first outing as James Bond in “The Living Daylights” and was looking to reinterpret his character as a harder-edged, grittier Bond in the style of the books — how quick we all were to forget that he joined the Taliban in that one? The literary Bond was a somewhat different character from the one popularized by Sean Connery, Roger Moore and later Daniel Craig, and one more prone to bouts of extreme violence and brooding silences.

This time, 007 was going to be a rogue agent, hellbent on revenge against vicious drug lord Franz Sanchez — implied to be Colombian and clearly based on Pablo Escobar and Manuel Noriega — responsible for a brutal attack on his longtime ally Felix Leiter. The plot and subject matter were much more reminiscent of the action films of the 1980s, and the winding down of the Cold War provided the opportunity for the franchise to update and escape from the mid-century stereotypes that it was so often reduced to.

The man with the golden tax break

“Licence To Kill” became the first film in the long-running James Bond franchise to be entirely shot outside of the United Kingdom, as the country had abolished tax breaks for foreign film producers in 1985. Set briefly in the Florida Keys and the fictional Isthmus City,  filming got underway in the middle of 1988, with the Mexican portion of the film shooting from July 18 to August 18. 

The resulting film was shot almost entirely in Coyoacán and Toluca, with cameos from Baja California, Quintana Roo and Acapulco, which hosted underwater scenes shot at Isla Mujeres, and lavish interior shots of Acapulco’s Villa Arabesque.

In Coyoacán, the legendary Estudios Churubusco, Mexico’s leading movie studio, saw a lot of the sound stage work normally filmed at the U.K.’s Pinewood Studios. Surrounding areas of the Centro Histórico also provided lavish interior shots for casino and palace scenes. The Gran Hotel de Ciudad de México, which also stars in “Spectre,” makes its first appearance in the franchise here, as part of an extended series of scenes where Mexico City’s Centro Histórico stands in as Isthmus City. Eagle-eyed viewers will recognize the Casa de los Azulejos as the Casino de Isthmus, the Banco de México as Sanchez’ office and Mexico City’s grand Post Office building, opposite Bellas Artes, as the Banco de Isthmus.

The final, desperate chase, in which a series of tankers race through the desert, was shot on Baja California’s Federal Highway 2D at La Rumorosa, just outside Mexicali. 

The decadent Villa Arabesque doubles as villainous drug lord Sanchez’s private villa. The villa was built between 1978 and 1982 for Baron Enrico “Ricky” di Portanova, a flamboyant member of the Acapulco jet-set who popularized Acapulco as a resort destination and was designed by Aurelio Muñoz Castillo. If you are feeling like living like a Bond villain, you can book a night’s stay at Villa Arabesque, which now serves as a luxury hotel.

From Toluca with Love

Bond villains have always occupied stunning hidden lairs, from the iconic volcano base in “You Only Live Twice” to Karl Stromberg’s underwater hideout in “The Spy who Loved Me.” “Licence to Kill” continued the tradition: the climactic portion of the film, in which Bond infiltrates the drug trafficker’s lair, takes place at the Otomí Ceremonial Center, between Toluca and Naucalpan. Not only is the Otomí center a worthy addition to the list, but it’s one of the few bases that actually exists outside of the films.

Bond’s super gritty reinvention was not a total success. Trading in the gadgets for exploding villains in a pressure chamber, feeding people to sharks and setting fire to enemies was perhaps a level of violence that filmgoers were less comfortable with in 1989, and it would be six years before Bond returned to screens in “Goldeneye” — this time with Pierce Brosnan as the titular character. 

As for Estudios Churubusco, “Licence to Kill” was part of a run of major foreign films shot at the studio — with 1989 bringing “The Hunt for Red October,” “Honey I Shrunk the Kids” and “Total Recall.” Mexico would host three more Bond shoots: 1997’s “Tomorrow Never Dies,” 2008’s “Quantum of Solace” and, of course, 2015’s “Spectre.”

If you’d like to travel Mexico and recreate the events of the film — though perhaps with fewer sharks and acts of immolation — an exhaustive guide to the locations used in Licence to Kill is available here.

By Mexico News Daily writer Chris Havler-Barrett

The post The Spy Who Loved Me(xico): Toluca’s forgotten James Bond movie appeared first on Mexico News Daily

The road to success, however, has not necessarily been a direct one. In 2016, Luis Fonsi, a man who enjoyed a successful career in the Latin music space, released the first single from his upcoming album, Vida. The lead single, “Despacito,” did well — becoming a crossover hit reminiscent of “Livin’ La Vida Loca” by fellow Puerto Rican Ricky Martin 15 years before. The 1999 hit peaked at #44 on the Billboard 100, (although it ruled the Spanish-focused Latin Hot chart).

While “Despacito” was a hit, it wasn’t until the track was picked up and remixed by Justin Bieber that it really ascended to the level of ubiquity that it enjoys today. The tune was a behemoth, spending 16 weeks at #1. It was even banned in Malaysia after irritated radio listeners called the government in protest over hearing it so many times.  

It was the first Spanish-language song to top the Billboard charts since the viral success of the Macarena in 1996 — but it needed the assistance of an established English-speaking artist in order to do that. 

That all changed last year though, with the breakout of Mexican Regional music, an umbrella term that describes everything from Eslabon Armado and Peso Pluma’s “Ella Baila Sola” to Gera MX and Christian Nodal’s country-esque “Botella tras Botella” (and straighter bands like Grupo Frontera in between). The wave of Mexican Regional music hitting the U.S. charts has been the defining trend in the U.S. throughout 2023 and into 2024, and audiences — both Spanish- and English-speaking — are loving it.

While the early rise of Spanish-language music was driven by Puerto Rico, and a handful of major Latina acts from outside the U.S. such as Shakira and Juanes in Colombia and Spain’s Father-and-son superstars Julio and Enrique Iglesias, recent developments have a decidedly more Mexican tinge. 

No longer is the genre staidly tied to tradition — while the title is all-encompassing, bands and artists under the label of Mexican Regional experiment with elements of hip-hop, trap, rap and electronica, while incorporating the more typical elements of Mexican folk music.

Billboard Magazine found that 35 Mexican Regional tracks made the U.S. Hot 100 in 2023. The most successful, “Ella Baila Sola,” made it into the top five. The song held the top spot on the Global 200 chart for six weeks, and Peso Pluma became the face of the genre. The Jalisco-born singer became the most streamed artist on YouTube that same year.

Once again, the English-speakers have returned, hoping to find their “Despacito” amongst the newcomers to the scene. Major labels have jumped in to sign Mexican regional artists. Fuerza Regida and Yahritza y Su Esencia (who controversially played during last year’s independence celebrations) have secured major label deals. Record companies as large as Interscope and Sony are hunting for their Mexican groups, as the quest for new chart topping Mexican artists intensifies.

Streaming platform Spotify’s Uriel Waizel told Billboard that he believes Mexican Regional has found success because of its willingness to adapt to listeners’ tastes. “The biggest lesson regional Mexican music has taught is that the ‘traditional’ format had to make concessions to impact the U.S. and global charts,” he explained.

This is not unlike the meteoric rise of Afrobeats, Waizel feels, the last non-U.S. genre to dominate the charts. “[This] is what we saw happen with Rema and Selena Gomez [with “Calm Down”]. It’s a great example of music that becomes more digestible for global audiences.”

This transformation is most obvious in the way that the genres have absorbed more urban U.S. genres — little surprise for two genres that often cover similar lyrical themes. It goes beyond the obvious however, with recent more pop-oriented offerings like Karol G and Peso Plumas “Qlona” and Fuerza Regida and Marshmello’s “Harley Quinn,” which more closely mimic regular U.S. chart offerings, while remaining true to their Mexican roots.

This success has produced a mixed reaction in Mexico. Some states have banned popular artists accused of glorifying violence, particularly bands affiliated with the wildly popular narcocorrido scene, which idolizes Mexico’s brutal cartel violence in much the same way U.S. rap idolized gang culture in the 1990s. 

Some of these artists have been accused of betraying their Mexican roots, as happened with Yahritza y su Esencia, despite being invited to play to Independence Day crowds in Mexico City’s Zocalo. Yahritza herself, the daughter of immigrants from Michoacán had said “I just don’t like Mexico,” during an interview in the United States, and the country was not impressed (she later clarified that she meant Mexico City). Even worse, the band suggested that Mexican food in their home state of Washington was superior to the food available in Mexico.

With roughly 25% of Gen Z Americans now of Latin descent, this changing of the guard, from immigrants to the children of immigrants is likely to result in increased popularity for the music of their parents’ homeland. However, whether or not that music pleases Mexicans on both sides of the border is up for debate. 

What cannot be argued though, is the huge success that these songs are having. Now even established Latin stars from outside of Mexico, including Bad Bunny, Shakira and Becky G, artists who once eclipsed the Mexican music scene, are rushing to record their own Mexican Regional tracks. This coming year is set to be a big year for Mexican artists with hotly anticipated new music from 17-year-old Chino Pacas, Gabito Ballesteros, Kenia Os, Xavi and Yng Lvkas all set to release albums. 

No matter the reason for the sudden increase in the popularity of Mexican influenced music in the U.S. or the controversy surrounding it, it seems unlikely that 2024 will be anything other than another year of absolute dominance for the genre.

By Mexico News Daily writer Chris Havler-Barrett

The post ‘Regional’ no more – How Mexican music conquered the world appeared first on Mexico News Daily

But this couldn’t be farther from the truth. From high-intensity programs like CrossFit to grueling Spartan races, Mexico has fitness options for people who want to take their workout to the next level. There are CrossFit gyms in every major city and beachside destination — from Puerto Vallarta, to Mexico City, to Monterrey or Tulum, and a number of high-profile fitness events for enthusiastic (or masochistic) amateurs to compete in.

What is CrossFit?

CrossFit is a very intense workout program that uses functional movement and weight training in high-cardio sessions. It is, in many ways, the ultimate HIIT session, with set numbers of repetitions, time limits and distances set for participants. Generally, the activities in a session are similar to those you might find in Olympic disciplines, and can include gymnastic and flexibility challenges, traditional weight training and also sprinting and resistance challenges.

Usually, sessions are led by a qualified coach, and have structured warm-ups and cooldowns, as well as more strength and flexibility-oriented stages. Notably, however, these workouts are best for people with a more competitive streak, as they are designed to track progress, and face gym goers off against each other. 

As a result, CrossFit can also be a great way to meet new people if you’ve just arrived in Mexico. The social element of the workout is so strong, in fact, that many gyms — such as Cancun’s Fibonacci — advertise the great community element of their CrossFit programs.

How do I get started with CrossFit in Mexico?

Paco Zarate is a competitive CrossFitter, taking part in competitions in Mexico and the United States. At 49 years old, and having recently become a grandfather, you might think that his best gym years are behind him — but Paco is one of the top-ranked competitors in his CrossFit age group —which boasts 8,000 competitors — a testament to how fast the sport is growing within Mexico.

“There’s a great [CrossFit] culture in Mexico,” Paco says. “ It is not for everybody because it’s a hard discipline, but it’s accessible.“

“You register, pay your membership to CrossFit and start,” he explains. “It’s for me and for every age. There are people who are 80 years old in CrossFit.” 

When asked how people can get into CrossFit, Zarate explains that it is important to find the right starting point, instead of diving in at the deep end. It’s important to ensure that if you’re going to embark on a fitness journey, you always do so with a properly accredited trainer to help reduce the risk of injury. 

“The first thing you need to do is find the right trainer. You need to start from Basics to Advanced,” he says. This is important, because given the intensity of the training, it is possible to find yourself pushing harder than your body is ready for. “You could walk into an advanced class, and if you don’t know how to do it, you might try to lift [too heavily] or do handstand walks, and you’re going to get hurt,” Paco warns.

Although CrossFit has a bit of a reputation for causing injury, many of these injuries are caused by people pushing too hard and too fast — so, taking your time and working with a professional who understands your training needs is paramount.

Put your skills to the test with a Spartan race

If you want to put your CrossFit skills into action, then a Spartan Race might be the best way to do it. Mexico has a host of options for anyone who wants to test themselves on the ultimate obstacle course: climbing, running, crawling and sweating on routes ranging from 3 kilometers (1.8 miles) to a brutal 160 (yes, one hundred and sixty kilometers — 99.4 miles). 

The most popular races, the Spartan Sprints, are between three and five miles in length, and feature between 25 and 30 obstacles on the course. Other disciplines, such as the Spartan Super, a 10-km version, and the Spartan Beast (21 km) are also popular choices for athletes here in Mexico.  

Spartan Race #trainedbyraine pic.twitter.com/1FicpHmjJE

— The Candy Lady (@mycandyraine) March 16, 2024

If you are already familiar with Spartan races in the United States, the Mexican versions are slightly easier for beginners. “I went to the United States to run and the parameters were different. The people were bigger, the weights were heavier and the obstacles were taller,” Paco says. “I suffered with my wall climbing because [the walls] were taller than I was used to. It’s complicated sometimes when you go to another country to run a Spartan race, but it’s very fun and it’s very challenging.”

With upcoming events in Campeche, México state, San Luis Potosí and Acapulco, it’s also a great excuse to explore more of Mexico.

CrossFit in Mexico is for everyone

If you are feeling insecure about your personal fitness before beginning an intense sports workout — challenge that mindset!. “Pregnant women do CrossFit,” Paco says. “There are people with physical disabilities who train. There are even specific categories in CrossFit games for these people. Everyone can participate… your age, gender or size don’t matter.” 

“We are often afraid of not finishing, or looking ridiculous in front of other people… but the thing is, you just have to start.”

If you’re thinking of signing up for a Spartan race (you should!), then more information is available on their website.

Of course, if you’re looking for something more holistic and a bit less hectic, why not check out our guide to Tulum’s best bikini bootcamps?

By Mexico News Daily writer Chris Havler-Barrett

The post Get into Mexico’s growing extreme fitness scene appeared first on Mexico News Daily

It should be no surprise that a location as iconic as Tulum has a litany of options for the prospective fitness enthusiast to choose from — whether you’re looking to prepare your body or your mind. 

If you are looking to get ready to rock the beaches this summer, why not consider a visit to one of Tulum’s top fitness retreats?

Amansala Yoga & Wellness Retreat

Describing itself as “eco-chic,” the Amansala Yoga & Wellness Retreat, set right on Tulum’s sweeping beach, is perhaps best known for its celebrity clientele. Its Bikini Bootcamp (a favorite of Drew Barrymore, no less), is a particular highlight — but more on that later. 

If you think you’re already in great beach shape and would like something for the mind — fear not, Amansala has you covered here too. The hotel also claims to host Tulum’s most popular yoga retreat — the Restore & Renew program — held three times a month. A six day course promises that participants will experience “idyllic moments that give you space and time to journey back to yourself.”

No wellness center would truly be complete without great food, and Amansala is no exception. The full-service resort offers healthy, seasonal dishes, meaning that you can eat well knowing that your diet is getting you in shape and being kind to the local environment. 

Azulik

Azulik has two locations — so whatever you want to do, this awe-inspiring resort has you covered. While many of the wellness retreats on this list offer a distinctly Mayan flavor (as you might expect in Tulum), Azulik offers an international standard that is unmatched by any of the other resorts. 

The Tulum site is a series of treehouses, with walkways connecting the resort. From above, guests can enjoy the commanding views of the coast and the jungle, feeling at one with nature as they reconnect with themselves and their surroundings. At dinner, enjoy cuisine d’auteur sitting in a cozy nest. 

As well as a stunning tree top setting, Azulik is a modern art pioneer, meaning that guests can combine fitness, yoga and spiritual healing workshops with an immersive art and food experience. 

The Azulik spa also offers a mix of modern spa treatments and traditional Maya healing rituals. 

Bikini Bootcamp

We looked at Amansala earlier, but the Bikini Bootcamp, which takes place at the stunning hotel, is the highlight of Tulum’s wellness retreat scene. As for what goes on, well, the clue is in the name. 

The standard six day retreat offers visitors the chance to enjoy beach walks along Tulum’s stunning coastline, tours of the town and surrounding area, as well as healthy eating and a range of fitness classes. At the end of your six days, Bikini Bootcamp promises to “send you home as the best version of yourself.”

Guests can choose from HIIT, cardio, sculpt and tone, box fit, yoga, pilates, salsa and dance classes. As well as getting your body in shape, the team at Bikini Bootcamp want to make sure your mind is toned too, so journaling and meditation also form an important part of every retreat.

The on-site spa also offers a range of treatments, including a traditional and ever-popular temazcal, the intriguing Mayan egg ritual and all the standard massages and physical therapy options you might expect.

Kaxan Santuary 

Located a mere 15 minutes from the town, Kaxan Sanctuary has something for those seeking colonial luxury and those in search of a more intimate connection with nature in the heart of the jungle. 

Kaxan offers healing for the soul in particular. The sanctuary has a private cenote, giving visitors the chance to relax and unwind far from the madding crowds that throng Tulum’s popular main beaches.

The on-site organic kitchen offers home-grown delights — including local melipona honey sourced directly from the local community. The access to nature also means that fruit and vegetable juices are made using local produce. As Yucatán is one of Mexico’s major cuisine capitals, the menu has a very local tilt, offering classics such as tamales, locally-caught fish and tacos, all cooked in a wood-fired oven. Kaxan can, of course, also cater to vegan and vegetarian requirements, and offers custom menu design for the most discerning eaters.

La Veleta

Tulum Strength Club is the most serious workout on this list. Where other fitness retreats are mixing their workouts with wellness or focusing on a gourmet experience, Tulum Strength Club pulls no punches.

Their monthly retreats — which have very limited spaces — combine strength training and high-end dining, all within a luxurious private villa. With a private pool, personal trainers, chef and gymnasium, Tulum Strength Club ensures that you have everything you need to succeed. 

The package also offers cooking classes, meaning you can learn to recreate the healthy (but tasty) food once you return home. The immersion camp is on the pricier side —  six days with the trainers will cost you a cool US $5000 —  but if you’re serious about looking serious, this is the place for you.

With the opening of the new Tulum airport, these amazing wellness destinations are now closer than ever — and if you’re breaking the bank to get there, Cancún International Airport is just two hours away, connecting the region with a host of low-cost carriers. If your goal is to feel and look your best this summer, a fitness retreat in Tulum could be just what you’re looking for.

By Mexico News Daily writer Chris Havler-Barrett

The post Inside Tulum’s fitness camps promising summer ready bodies appeared first on Mexico News Daily

The name is derived from the French term for “raw concrete,” which sure enough explains the defining characteristics of the style. Originating in the devastation of post-war France and the U.K. in the 1950s, and taking the world of architecture by storm in the 1960s, the style led to some of the most legendary (and divisive) pieces of architecture in the 20th century. London’s Barbican, Marseille’s Unite d’ Habitacion and Montreal’s Habitat 67.

In Mexico, brutalism came to the fore in the 1960s and 1970s, as the availability of concrete — seen as a futuristic building material at the time — revolutionized building techniques and was adopted by high-concept designers and discount construction firms alike. Absolute icons of Mexican brutalism include the Azteca Stadium (don’t mention the Hand of God) and the Casa en el Aire.

Just because Brutalism is seen as the epitome of mid-20th century design doesn’t mean it’s not overdue a comeback though – and come back it certainly has. If you’re looking for inspiration to become the next Le Corbusier or Ernö Goldfinger, why not check out some of Mexico’s best modern (and not so modern) brutalist offerings.

Casa TO, Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca

 

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 Puerto Escondido is the new Tulum – and along with the rise in status, some genuine architectural gems are starting to spring up, including this pool (pun intended) on the Oaxaca coast.

Casa TO is situated in the trendy Zicatela area of the town, and is styled after the caravansarays of Istanbul. With all the glamor of a boutique hotel in Mexico’s coolest little surf town, the standout feature is undoubtedly the brutalist pool, which no doubt adorns the Instagrams of every visitor who has been lucky enough to swim in it.

Casa Oyamel, Xalapa, Veracruz

The stark concrete of brutalism is often most associated with the sort of urban decay that led to Stanley Kubrick’s visually delicious adaptation of A Clockwork Orange or the towering, unfinished parking lot that dominates Michael Caine’s Get Carter. I’ve always been of the opinion, however, that the medium really shines when it’s in nature.

Casa Oyamel is definitely that. Set admit possibly the most stunning backdrop I’ve ever seen, the house stands out like rock against the mountains and forests of Xalapa. Boasting three bedrooms, a large garage and a 95% bare concrete finish, designer Rafael Pardo Ramos has created a blend of 1960’s style and 2020’s comfort amid the beauty of Mexican nature.

Lookout, Las Cruces, Jalisco

Much like Casa Oyamel, the juxtaposition of bare concrete and nature once again delivers — except this time the view is from a mountaintop and needs to be seen to be believed.

Part of the Pilgrim’s Route, a 117 kilometer walk traversing the mountains of Jalisco, the Lookout provides a place for hikers to stop and appreciate the stunning natural beauty of one of Mexico’s most impressive states. The shelter is open in two directions, allowing travelers to make the most of the mountaintop vista.

Chuumuk Housing Complex, Tulum, Quintana Roo

Tulum has been leading the beachside fashion crew for some time now, so it’s only natural that it would find a spot on this list. Freshly poured for 2024, Chuumuk is a small, deeply stylish cluster of brutalist homes tucked away on the Caribbean coast. 

At this point, I think we’ve all agreed on the beauty of concrete, so it’s not necessary to harp on at any more length about the bare, sleekly brushed walls, the concrete pools, stairways, floors and even ornaments — but that won’t stop me. The house looks like every wannabe-Owen Luder’s dream. 

Estadio Azteca, Coyoacán, Mexico City

Ok, it feels like cheating to put this on the list. It is arguably the most recognizable stadium in the world, behind London’s Wembley Stadium, and it is home to some of football’s most defining moments. It has held two World Cup finals (one of only two stadia ever to do so) and will see its third World Cup in 2026.

It’s making the cut here though, because this is your last chance to go and see it in its original, 1966-edition glory. The stadium (and surrounding area) is due to receive a massive refurbishment for the 2026 World Cup, and while it will be upgraded to modern standards, the concrete behemoth that has seen both Pele and Maradona lift the World Cup trophy will sadly be no more.

Make the pilgrimage to a temple of football — and remember, that handball was an absolute travesty.

By Mexico News Daily writer Chris Havler-Barrett

The post Mexico’s best brutalist buildings: A comprehensive guide to concrete architecture appeared first on Mexico News Daily

Here are Mexico News Daily’s picks for some of our best alternative wellness articles in the last 12 months, from five of our best writers.

Can Dolphin Assisted Therapy help children with mental illness?

Can Dolphin Assisted Therapy help children with mental illness?

An experimental dolphin treatment center in Jalisco is pioneering a new type of therapy. DAT, or Dolphin Assisted Therapy, is designed to provide a holistic pathway for children with disabilities and mental health needs to experience support. John Pint visits the Maya Kay DAT center to see if there’s any truth to the rumors that dolphins can help to treat a range of complex developmental needs. 

Abuelas’ recommended natural cold and flu remedies: 4 tried and tested solutions

Abuelas’ recommended natural cold and flu remedies: 4 tried and tested solutions

When it comes to getting well again, abuelas have been helping for centuries. If you want to avoid a trip to the pharmacy, check out Bethany Platanella’s collected Mexican folk remedies. Herbs and spices kept the indigenous people of the Americas well for centuries – and they can work for you too!

New Year, new you? Mexico’s best wellness retreats to renew

New Year, new you? Mexico’s best wellness retreats to renew

Mexico offers some of the best wellness retreats in the world. From the beach to the mountains, the burgeoning wellness industry gives you the chance to unwind, destress and enjoy life to the fullest, whatever your needs. Join Henrietta Weekes as she reviews three of Mexico’s top retreats, and everything they have to offer. 

Best health benefits of organic Maya honey

Best health benefits of organic Maya honey

The melipona bee, found only in Mexico’s Yucatán peninsula, produces a very special type of honey. Melipona honey has a range of beneficial properties, from promoting dental care, to remedying a sore throat, to even reducing the symptoms of IBS. While the melipona bee is under threat from modern pesticides, its honey is increasingly sought after. Mark Viales has the down low on this miracle honey, and how it can help you to feel better. 

Exploring the power of cacao for spiritual healing

Exploring the power of cacao for spiritual healing

Sandra Gancz Kahan takes a closer look at the world’s favorite sweet treat, and how it has been known to open the heart, help heal emotional wounds, and tap into your intuition. The science behind cacao and the serotonin it contains has long been known, but did you also know natural cacao contains some of the same active ingredients as cannabis?

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal or medical advice. The writer and Mexico News Daily assume no responsibility or liability for any errors or omissions in the content on this site. Individuals should always consult with qualified professionals regarding the use of ibogaine or any other substance for medical purposes, as well as consider their jurisdiction’s applicable laws and regulations.

The post Alternative wellness roundup: How to stay healthy in Mexico appeared first on Mexico News Daily

Fifty years ago, however, the top level of global motorsport was a very different place.

This was the era of the brave gentleman driver, a man from another time making his way in very different world. Sometimes these drivers would appear at one-off races, building their own cars from kits. Fancying themselves a designer, they would pioneer what they believed to be the next big concept in racing (it usually wasn’t). Many raced simply for the pleasure of speed and a desire to compete with the best, and had the deep pockets to do so. 

Their names are etched into Formula One history — Jim Clark, the Scottish farmer many believe to be the greatest ever to race in the sport; Graham Hill, the master of Monaco; Rob Walker, the heir to the Johnnie Walker whisky fortune who listed his occupation only as “Gentleman;” and Al Pease, the only driver ever to be disqualified for driving too slowly.

The last of these great sporting amateurs was Hector Rebaque, the chilango son of an architect. Family money made it easy for him to enter the 1973 24 Hours of Daytona aged just 18. Modest sportscar success followed, and in 1974, he and fellow Mexican Guillermo Rojas entered their own car — a Porsche Carrera — as the Rebaque-Rojas racing team. 

Not satisfied with simply racing sportscars, Rebaque set his sights on the ultimate motorsport series – Formula One. His timing couldn’t have been better. 

Mexico in Formula One

The first Mexicans to race in Formula One were the Rodríguez brothers — super talented Ricardo and successful race-winner Pedro — but both were tragically killed early in their careers: Ricardo at the very first Mexican Grand Prix in 1962, and Pedro in Germany in 1971. Their deaths rocked the world of Mexican sports, and the public searched for another driver with the talent to represent Mexico on the world stage. Moisés Solana had valiantly tried to fill this gap, but his efforts in the top tier of motorsport had come up short. Mexico needed winners. 

It was under these circumstances that Hector Rebaque first came to Formula One. He had found himself a spot on the Hesketh racing team — best known for the playboy lifestyle of its owner and drivers, including the famous James Hunt. It was the ultimate privateer team for the ultimate privateer driver.

There was just one problem: Hesketh wasn’t very good. The car was slow, the team had no money, and the owner, Lord Thomas Hesketh, prioritized a life of vice over racing success. In true Mexican spirit, however, Rebaque had an incessant drive to succeed, and set out to reach the top any way he could. It was time to start his own Formula One team, and run things his way.

Mexico’s first Formula One car

Formula One teams are almost always based in the United Kingdom (with a few notable exceptions, like Ferrari), so founding and operating Team Rebaque was going to require setting up shop outside of Mexico. 

That didn’t mean the DNA of the team had to be foreign, however, and the team earned sponsorship from a number of Mexican brands. The title sponsor was brewery chain Moctezuma (under their Carta Blanca label). Further support came from Domecq wines and a long-standing partnership with Café de México, which gave the team the funding they needed to get started. Other Mexicans on the team included Hector Rebaque Sr., Hector’s father, and Chacho Medina, who would go on to become the voice of Mexican motorsport commentary.

The Rebaque team had a lot of spirit, but it didn’t have a lot of money compared to the major players of the time. At the other end of the title race, Mclaren turned over £2.25 (US $2.8 million) in 1980 alone, equivalent to £9.7 million (US$ 12.2 million) today). 

Given the team’s financial limitations, the Mexican Formula One dream began in the back of a garage in Leamington Spa, a charming market town on the outskirts of Birmingham. In a feat of outstanding negotiation, Rebaque arranged for the team to buy the revolutionary Lotus 78, which had won the World Championship the year before, outfitting it with the privateer’s engine of choice — the Cosworth DFV. 

Hector ran the team, the office, served as a mechanic and acted as its only driver. Over the course of two full seasons, he raced in 30 Grands Prix across four continents. He arranged sponsors, worked on the car, and negotiated with suppliers.

The first season ahead of the 1978 World Championship was slow. The huge number of entries during the early years of Formula One — when drivers could enter their home Grand Prix for a single race — meant that it was often necessary to “pre-qualify,” a step which meant many new teams faced extreme pressure to even make it into the event itself. This didn’t stop Rebaque, who managed to qualify for nine of the 16 events in his first season. 

Real success came in the German Grand Prix that year, when Rebaque took his car from 18th place on the grid to a 6th-place finish and scored the first points for Team Rebaque. The enormous achievement put the team on the map, and the future looked bright for the Mexican privateers battling for racing glory.

But Rebaque had even larger plans. He commissioned Geoff Ferris and John Barnard to build him the Rebaque HR100 — Mexico’s first (and so far, only) Formula One car. Designing and building a car from scratch isn’t easy, especially when you run your team in the back of an industrial estate, and it took some time for the final designs to be signed off on and prepared. 

Sponsor pressure for the new car was huge — Mexico’s first Formula One car was a sporting achievement, and supporters wanted to see what Rebaque had created. As a result, the car was rushed out for the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort, perhaps a little earlier than it should have been.

Unfortunately, patriotism, spirit and courage can only take you so far. The car was not especially fast, and it failed to qualify for three of the four races in which it was entered, retiring after its one race day outing in Canada. 

After Formula One

Under modern scoring rules, Team Rebaque would have been a decent success, with enough points to attract the necessary sponsorship to continue. Unfortunately, the points system in the 1970s was much less forgiving — but Team Rebaque retains the distinction of being a points-scoring team nonetheless, something which only a handful of racecar constructors can say they have achieved.

Much like Checo Pérez some 40 years later, Rebaque managed to do well enough to secure a drive with a top team — and he headed to Brabham. While he picked up some points finishes, he finished a distant 10th in his only full season with the team, while his teammate Nelson Piquet won the title in the same car.

Rebaque was well enough regarded, and his efforts were rewarded in 1982 with an offer to join the Arrows team. Still, he chose to look to new pastures for the rest of his career. 

He headed to the United States and bagged a win at Road America in his only season with the #52 Carta Blanca car. He also finished in the top 15 in the Indianapolis 500 that same year.

Today, Rebaque is an architect, like his father. The HR100 can be found at his home, serving as a garden ornament.

By Mexico News Daily writer Chris Havler-Barrett

The post The history of Mexico’s first and only F1 team appeared first on Mexico News Daily