Carlos Slim hints return of Mexican Grand Prix to Formula 1 calendar – Formula 1 news
Carlos Slim son of the world’s richest man said that a Mexican Grand Prix would soon come into realisation.
He feels that it is just a matter of time before Grand Prix returns to Mexico, as the last Grand Prix event in the country took place back in 1992. He also felt that there is still significant following of the sport in the country even though it has been
almost two decades since it hosted a GP.
Formula 1 boss Bernie Ecclestone has already expressed his desire to move back to Mexico and South Africa for Grand Prix events as he said that he would like to only host five races in Europe during a season in the coming years.
Slim told FIA’s In Motion magazine, “Perhaps naturally I embrace the idea and believe that a new race for Mexico is what, in colloquial English, is referred to as a 'no-brainer'.”
“From the non-championship 1962 Mexican Grand Prix, which claimed the life of the talented local hero Ricardo Rodriguez, through following his brother Pedro's illustrious career in the sport and on to the series' last visits to the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez
in Mexico City in the late 1980s and early 90s, Mexicans have always followed Formula One with intense interest,” he further added.
Formula 1 has seen quite a few new locations added in recent times, namely Korea and India have been added, with a couple under construction in America, the New Jersey street circuit and the now infamous Austin circuit. The move has been good for the growth
of the sport. Although sustaining these venues profitability and interest of the fans and sponsors is a tricky situation which also needs to be looked into.
Ecclestone understands the dynamics of geographical interests very well, but still recent economic downturn and political complexities have put up a stern challenge to sustain growth.
The Austin circuit recently has been in such a financial turmoil which has placed a cloud over it and may not be available for the 2012 season as scheduled.
Mexico will definitely be a very feasible option in case it is considered as there will already be races in the United States and Canada, and Mexico is not that far off geographically.
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