Formula 1 to race in Mexico City until 2025
Ahead of this weekend's Mexico City Grand Prix, Formula One has announced that the venue has secured a three-year contract extension to continue hosting F1 races until at least 2025.
Mexico first hosted a Formula One race in 1963 that saw Jim Clark take the win in the inaugural race with Lotus-Climax. The Magdalena Mixhuca track remained on the calendar until 1970. In 1970, a record crowd of approximately 200,000 arrived to see home hero Pedro Rodríguez, forcing officials to delay the race start by an hour as they struggled to control the crowd.
The race was abandoned for the following year, but Mexico made its return in 1986 on the revamped Hermanos Rodriguez track. Benetton, Ferrari, McLaren and Williams proved to be the dominant force in the second iteration of the Mexican Grand Prix that lasted until 1992.
Formula 1 returned to Mexico for the third time in 2015 and since that time the event has become a very popular race for the fans, drivers and the teams. Fans are due to come to the 2022 race in huge numbers, with 350,000 expected over the three days of the event to cheer their favourite drivers and home hero Sergio Perez.
The first Mexico City race held under the contract extension will take place on 27-29 October 2023. The sport has now revealed that the venue will remain on the calendar for unti lat least 2025.
Checo walking into his home paddock with some MAJOR main character energy 😏#MexicoGP #F1 @SChecoPerez pic.twitter.com/LVJvQ8GKqN
— Formula 1 (@F1) October 27, 2022
Stefano Domenicali, President and CEO of F1, said: “I am very pleased to announce that Formula 1 will continue to race in Mexico City for another three years under this new agreement.
"Every year the race attracts a large number of passionate fans, and the atmosphere is incredible, and I know everyone will be excited by this news.
“I want to thank Claudia Sheinbaum, the Head of Government for Mexico City, and Alejandro Soberón and his team for their ongoing commitment to Formula 1 and the continued success of the event.”
Claudia Sheinbaum, Head of Government of Mexico City, commented: “Formula 1 is very important for the city, not only because of its considerable economic impact, but also because millions of people around the world watch it and it showcases the beauty and grandeur of Mexico City to the whole country and the entire world.
"Since we took over the government of Mexico City, we endeavoured to put in place a mechanism that would allow Formula 1 to be held with the participation of entrepreneurs who not only benefit from the event but are also keen to make it happen because they love the city, and they love Mexico.”
