Last weekend’s race at Mexico City’s Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez drew a crowd of 397,000 fans in three days, once again making it one of the most watched races of the season.
The strong fan presence in Mexico comes against the backdrop of the current F1 boom in the neighboring United States, which will host three races next year in Miami, Austin and Las Vegas. With the Grands Prix also taking place in Canada and Brazil, there will be six races in the Americas in 2023.
But with countries’ continued interest in hosting a Grand Prix in the future, Alejandro Soberon, the CIE general manager promoting the race in Mexico, believes it would be possible to add another event on the American continent.
“We like the competition, it’s a good thing because it keeps you fit and alert,” Soberon said.
“Three races in the United States before were unthinkable. Today it even seems reasonable.
“I think Miami will be a great success. You saw the crowd in Austin. It’s much better than other years, it’s a stronger race. And all the presales in Las Vegas went through the roof. So I think it’s good for the region, for the time zone, it’s very good.
“So with Canada, three races [in the United States]Mexico and Brazil, the question is whether there is room for another race. My personal belief is that there is room for another.
“But it doesn’t have to be against another game in the same time zone. It may take place in another time zone. So who will be at risk, how competitive is this offer? It will be very interesting. “
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, 1st place, celebrates his arrival at Parc Ferme.
Photo by: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images
Mexico announced Thursday that it has signed a new three-year contract, ensuring that F1 will continue to visit Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez until at least 2025.
But Soberon explained that in the next renewal there could be a new government and a new mayor after the 2024 elections.
Mexico originally re-entered the calendar in 2015 with a federally funded deal, but a change of government meant that the mayor of Mexico City and his administration took over the run-up financing for the existing deal and renewal.
Soberon said he was confident the Grand Prix would continue to enjoy national support regardless of governing bodies, saying everyone in the country was “very proud of the race”. “
“They love Checo [Perez]and what it accomplishes, “Soberon said.” It’s a great show and a great window to present Mexico in a positive way to the whole world.
“Today there are more and more cities that want to get a space on the calendar. I think it basically means everyone has to move faster, trying to create the alliance of interest to make it happen, because I think Formula 1 is in a great position today. “
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB18, George Russell, Mercedes W13, Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes W13, Sergio Perez, Red Bull Racing RB18, the rest of the group at the start.
Photo par: Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images
F1 will hold a record 24-race season in 2023, hitting the limit set by the Concorde Convention after adding a new event in Las Vegas, as well as the return of China and Qatar to the calendar.
Series leaders are known to explore calendar rotation as a potential way to ensure that more markets, especially those in Europe, can hold events every two years.
Asked about whether to rotate Mexico in the future if needed, Soberon said, “When it sells out every year, and every year fades faster than the year before, it’s something you don’t want to consider as a promoter.
“Why should I have a race every two years when I can have one every year? I’m very competitive, I bring good dollars into Formula 1, and it’s a big market, the Mexican market has a lot to do with success in the United States. The Hispanic population is very fond of shopping there.
“But you know, for some countries that can’t get the right funding, this is definitely going to be an option.
“I’d rather have a race every two years than not do it at all. “
