The race, the first Grand Prix to be held here for more than two decades, will be run at the 4.4-kilometer (2.7-mile) Circuit Hermanos Rodriguez in Mexico City. This circuit most recently hosted the event between 1986 and 1992. However, despite its history with the sport, track conditions fall short of current Formula One standards and require a substantial upgrade of facilities. Estimates are in the billions of pesos (millions of dollars) range.
Although a specific date hasn't been set yet, sources say the race could run towards the end of next year, to follow the U.S. Grand Prix in Austin in early November. With a lot of humongous Mexican companies supporting the event, it's bound to come off on schedule.
Two Mexican drivers currently compete in F1 racing: Force India’s Sergio "Checo" Perez, who scored a podium earlier this year in Bahrain, and Sauber's Esteban Gutierrez. Not surprisingly both Mexicans are excited about the prospects of a championship race in their home country in 2015.
“It’s great, I’m so happy,” said Perez. “It’s great for my country, for all the fans back home and I’m sure you all will be surprised at how good the event will be. I’m just very proud and excited."
For some reasons why this new development is important for Mexico, see the article "10 Reasons You Should Follow Formula One" in Forbes, available at http://www.forbes.com/sites/hannahelliott/2013/06/04/10-reasons-you-should-follow-formula-one/ The article is a year out of date, but the major points still apply.
You'll also find a very clear explanation of the Formula One brand at http://www.formula1.com/inside_f1/f1brand.html
Email me if you're a fan, too.
© 2014 Tony DeCrosta
Contact me at adecrosta@gmail.com
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