Mexico hopes for a return of F1
The return of Formula 1 to Mexico is often mentioned as a possibility for the coming years. According to Carlos Slim Domit, Mexico's return to the F1 calendar is an obvious fact.
Formula 1 has not returned to Mexico since 1992—a race won by Nigel Mansell driving his Williams-Renault. The country has often been mentioned as a possible destination for Formula 1 in the coming years, but for now, no concrete project seems ready to host F1.
But with the arrival of Sergio Perez this season at Sauber, the presence of a Mexican driver gives hope to some for a possible comeback. This is notably the case for Carlos Slim Domit – son of Carlos Slim, the world’s richest man according to *Forbes*, who believes that with the arrival of new Mexican drivers in F1, it’s time to bring F1 back to Mexico.
I support the idea and I think a new race in Mexico is often referred to as ‘a no-brainer’. Mexico has always been close to Formula 1, closer in fact than many other categories that have come to this country, Carlos Slim Domit shared in his column for the magazine FIA in Motion.
The arrival of a new generation of Mexican drivers has helped boost interest in Formula 1. We not only have Sergio Perez who impresses at Sauber, but we also have another star in the shadows, Esteban Gutierrez (Sauber’s third driver). He is a Formula 1 star in the making.
Carlos Slim Domit believes that these two drivers generate anticipation among the Mexican people and that a Formula 1 Grand Prix could attract large crowds, as the sport seems so popular.
The potential of these young drivers has reignited interest in F1 beyond the die-hard fans, and the huge crowd that came to see Perez’s demonstration in his hometown earlier this year is a testament to the new popularity of the sport, and we should capitalize on this for the future.
He also believes that the return of Formula 1 to Mexico could allow Formula 1 to be permanently established in the North American continent.
Linking races like Canada and the United States with an event in Mexico could perfectly enhance Formula 1’s footprint in North America and Central America and offer viability to the race held in Brazil.
For the moment, no circuit seems capable of hosting Formula 1, but the people considering the return of Formula 1 to Mexico have several possibilities for building a brand-new circuit.
There are several choices for a new circuit, such as the country’s second city, Guadalajara, which recently successfully hosted the Pan American Games, and is an interesting option. Cancun, also, with its superb tourist infrastructure, remains a possibility. In fact, there is no lack of possible host cities or competent promoters, concluded Carlos Slim Domit.
