Formula 1
Room for one more F1 race in the Americas, says Mexican GP promoter
The promoter of the Mexican Grand Prix believes there would be room for one more race in the Americas should Formula 1 look to expand into more markets.
Luke Smith
Edited: Nov 8, 2022, 3:32 PM
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Last weekend’s race at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez in Mexico City attracted a sell-out crowd of 397,000 fans over three days, once again making it one of the best-attended races of the season.
The continued strong fan presence in Mexico comes amid F1’s current boom in the neighbouring United States, which will host three races next year in Miami, Austin and Las Vegas. With grands prix also taking place in Canada and Brazil, there will be six races in the Americas in 2023.
But amid continued interest from countries in hosting a grand prix in the future, Alejandro Soberon, the chief executive of CIE that promotes the race in Mexico, felt there would be scope to add another event in the Americas.
“We love competition, it’s good, because it keeps you in shape and alert,” said Soberon.
“Three races in the States, before, it was unthinkable. Today it even looks reasonable.
“I think Miami is going to be a very big success. You saw the attendance in Austin. It’s much better than other years, it’s a stronger race. And all the presales in Vegas are through the roof. So I think that’s good for the region, for the timezone, that is very good.
“So with Canada, three races [in the United States], Mexico, and Brazil, the question is if there room for another one? My personal belief is there is room for another one.
“But it doesn’t have to go against another race in the same timezone. It can go against another timezone. So who’s going to be at risk, how competitive is that offer? It’s going to be very interesting.”
Lance Stroll, Aston Martin, waves to the crowd on the drivers' parade
Photo by: Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images
Mexico announced on Thursday that it had signed a new three-year contract, ensuring F1 will continue to visit the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez until at least 2025.
But Soberon explained that come the next renewal, there could be a new government and city mayor in place following the elections in 2024.
Mexico initially returned to the calendar in 2015 with a deal that was funded by the federal government, but a change in the government meant the Mexico City mayor and her administration took over securing the funding for the race for the existing deal and the renewal.
Soberon felt confident the grand prix would continue to get national support regardless of the ruling bodies, believing everyone in the country was “very proud about the race.”
“They love Checo [Perez], what he’s achieving,” said Soberon. “It’s a great show and a great window to present Mexico in a good fashion to the world.
“Today, there are more and more cities interested in getting a slot on the calendar. I think that basically means that everybody needs to move faster, trying to make the alliance of interest to make it happen, because I think Formula 1 is in a great position today.”
F1 will hold a record-breaking 24-race season in 2023, reaching the limit set out by the Concorde Agreement after adding a new event in Las Vegas, as well as bringing China and Qatar back to the schedule.
Series bosses are known to be exploring calendar rotation as a potential way to ensure more markets, particularly those in Europe, can hold events every other year.
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Asked about the possibility of Mexico rotating in the future if required, Soberon said: “When you have every year sold out, and every year you sell it faster than the year before, it’s something as a promoter you don't want to consider.
“Why should I have every other year a race when I can have one every year? I’m very competitive, I deliver good dollars to Formula 1, and it’s a great market, the Mexican market has a lot to do with the success in the States. The Hispanic population is very fond of races there.
“But you know, for some countries, that cannot manage to have the right funding, certainly it’s going to be an option to do.
“I would rather to have a race every other year than have no race at all.”
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