Mexico City to host F1 race for first time in over 20 years

Filed under: Motorsports



Formula One racing in North America has come a long way in the last few years. Having been absent from the calendar from 1992 through 1998 and again from 2008 through 2011 (when American racing fans could only catch the Canadian Grand Prix up in Montreal), the United States Grand Prix is now a regular fixture on the calendar at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, TX. There's even a second race in the works for the New York/New Jersey area, if that ever actually gets off the ground. And next year, there'll be one in Mexico, as well.

The idea of bringing back the Mexican Grand Prix first popped up on our radar screens back in 2011, but after it was initially slated for inclusion in this year's championship, it was ultimately postponed because local race organizers weren't ready. But at a press conference in Mexico City yesterday, organizers (including billionaire Carlos Slim and USGP organizer Tavo Hellmund) confirmed that plans are on track to hold a race there next year.

When the GP does finally take place, it will mark the first time the F1 circus will stop in Mexico since 1992, marking the end of a 23-year absence. Nigel Mansell won the last Mexican Grand Prix for Williams and still holds the lap record from the year before, but it's Jim Clark and Lotus who hold the record for the most wins there. The Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez in Mexico City is expected to undergo considerable renovations to support the race, where we don't doubt that Sergio Pérez and Esteban Gutiérrez - the first Mexican F1 drivers in decades - will be warmly received by local fans.

An additional race in Baku, Azerbaijan, is also expected to be added to the calendar for next year.Mexico City to host F1 race for first time in over 20 years originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 24 Jul 2014 10:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.



Permalink | Email this | Comments