The System 1 Mexico Grand Prix is celebrating its tenth anniversary with one other sellout crowd, proving fears of the affect of Sergio Perez’s absence have been overblown.
The Mexico Metropolis race on the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez has swiftly changed into an F1 staple, boosted by nationwide fervour to assist house hero Perez as he changed into a a number of grand prix winner in his 30s.
However even the Guadalajara native’s absence would not appear to have dampened the race’s competition vibes, nor has it massively impacted its ticket gross sales. When Perez was dropped by Pink Bull on the finish of final 12 months, ticket gross sales had already reached the 90 % mark, however the remaining provide steadily saved promoting out, with greater than 400,000 followers anticipated throughout the weekend.
“It was an fascinating 12 months for us due to the absence of Checo, who could be very a lot liked by the Mexican followers,” Alejandro Soberon Kuri, CEO of the race’s promoter CIE, informed choose media together with Motorsport.com.
“There was quite a lot of uncertainty about Checo staying and he did not have an excellent season, in order that bought lots of people pondering. Possibly the one change this 12 months was the pacing of the ticket gross sales. It was 90 % offered at the start, after which easily reached the sold-out [status].”
Federico Gonzalez Compean, managing director of the race, added: “Mexican followers are very outspoken, so if they do not really feel like going, they might name you to let you realize and attempt to get a refund. Not a single one [did that].
“I believe the race could be very, very deep within the hearts of the Mexican followers, and the federal government can also be very eager to maintain supporting it.”
Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls Group, Yuki Tsunoda, Pink Bull Racing
Picture by: Colin McMaster / LAT Pictures through Getty Pictures
Mexico’s enduring success is partly the by-product of F1’s progress and diversification as an entire, however the promoters have additionally consciously skewed their advertising efforts in direction of a three-way break up between native followers from the capital, nationwide prospects and abroad travellers, making themselves much less depending on particular person segments, and boosting the tourism sector.
“I believe the evolution of the viewers since 2015, it has modified lots,” Gonzalez defined. “We have been studying for 10 years how we have switched from [just] the hardcore followers to having Drive to Survive or now having the F1 film.
“We’re aiming to have 33% Mexico Metropolis patrons, 33% Mexico patrons, and in addition 33% worldwide patrons. The Mexico Metropolis market alone may eat all of the tickets of the grand prix, however we actually deal with not allowing that.
Soberon added: “The Mexican market generally has grown tremendously previously 5 years. Within the leisure aspect of our enterprise, it virtually tripled the variety of tickets offered within the nation. In the present day, in all probability Mexico is manner up in the most effective three or 4 leisure nations on the earth for the quantity of the quantity of tickets offered and the efficiency.
“Shakira simply performed on this stadium 12 nights, offered out stadiums, and she or he may have offered one other 5. She offered 1.2 million tickets within the nation.”
Sergio Perez returns to the grid with Cadillac in 2026
Picture by: Luke Hales / Getty Pictures
As a part of Mexico’s worldwide phase, the occasion has welcomed extra Argentinian followers following the arrival of Franco Colapinto, and promoters say they’ve additionally efficiently focused Canadian followers who’ve grow to be extra hesitant to go to US races given the present political pressure between the 2 nations.
“We see a number of extra Canadian flags and we’re very pleased to have all of them right here,” Gonzalez mentioned. “The market is rising and it has been altering, we see extra ladies and [younger fans] shopping for a ticket.”
However whereas this 12 months’s ticketing success regardless of Perez’s absence has given the occasion confidence it might thrive by itself, Soberon and Gonzalez are naturally delighted the 35-year-old is returning to the grid subsequent 12 months with newcomer Cadillac.
“Not less than now we have a brand new suite for Cadillac for subsequent 12 months. And there are conversations with Audi already, so it will be a profit,” Gonzalez revealed.
Soberon added: “It may take a while, however it will be good to have a staff for Basic Motors, I believe it will be very huge. They are going to grow to be very liked by Mexican followers.”
CIE guarantees to “hold investing” within the 4.4km circuit, with conversations anticipated to begin subsequent 12 months to increase the present contract, which runs out in 2028.
“We’re very pleased that we’re on the calendar till 2028 already,” Soberon mentioned. “All of us promised ourselves that we must always have discussions early subsequent 12 months about the long term. What we’re attempting is to have is to at all times be three to 5 years forward.
“Mexico Metropolis is a extremely good cease for F1, and it is an financial success.”
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