Mexico no longer has a Formula 1 master driver, but still wants to stick to his Grand Prix and is faced with Formula 1 before an extension of the contract.
The probably largest draft horse for the Mexico Grand Prix is no longer there: Sergio Perez lost his Formula 1 cockpit at the end of 2024. Nevertheless, there should also be a Formula 1 race on the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez in Mexico City in the future: The local managers are about to extend the contract with Formula 1.
This was indicated by Clara Brugada as head of government in Mexico City in a press conference. She said: “We will sign the agreement with Formula 1 in the coming week. These are good news.”
Because the current Mexico Formula 1 contract expires after this year’s Grand Prix. In the room there is now an extension of three years, as with the two previous extensions according to the original five -year contract from 2015.
Who (not) finances the Mexico race
However, local organizers have not been able to fall back on state aid since 2018: The Mexican state government has withdrawn from the Grand Prix financing under its then President Andres Lopez Obrador.
Since then, the Mexican managers have been driving two-track: a private foundation that has been launched by several business people provides the funds for the Formula 1 race and the government of Mexico City maintains relationships with the Formula 1 management around CEO Stefano Domenicali.
How Mexico wants to be successful without Perez
As early as 2024, everything should have been ready in Mexico for an extension of the contract: The planning has deliberately prepared for a possible future without state-specific Formula 1 drivers, according to Mexico.
The organizers are therefore convinced that they can lure a large audience on the route even without Perez – and the Mexican audience, with over 400,000 weekend visitors, was one of the largest in Formula 1.
Mexico promoter Federico Gonzalez said in 2024: “We are dealing with a new generation of racing fans who also cheered for the show and the race itself.” In addition, the organizers deliberately advertise internationally for their Grand Prix. The goal: A third of the tickets should be sold locally in Mexico City, National in Mexico and to customers all over the world.
Gonzalez says: “This will make the Grand Prix healthier with regard to the number of spectators and hopefully give us the certainty that we will be sold out without” checo “Perez.” With this basis, Mexico can still “play a Formula 1 race for many years.
Two other Grands Prix are still without a contract for 2026
Other current Formula 1 routes are on the brink: The 2025 racing calendar is still imola and Las Vegas without a connection contract for 2026. If it is to stay at 24 Grands Prix in the coming year, at least one course would have to give way, because a new Formula 1 city race is already confirmed with Madrid in Spain.