Mexico "to cheer for someone else" if Perez is not on the grid
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Mexico City's grand-prix president Alejandro Soberón believes there is still a future for the Mexican Grand Prix, even if Sergio Perex will no longer be racing. There is a worry that the Mexican Grand Prix, known for its brilliant atmosphere and passionate fans, will lose that aspect if their home favourite is no longer on the grid. However, Soberón points to the Brazilian Grand Prix as an example of continued success, even without Perez.
It is beginning to look more and more like Sergio Perez will not be driving alongside Max Verstappen at Red Bull Racing next year. It has been a very disappointing year for the Mexican in the Austrian team, and despite having a contract until 2026, there is a growing sense that Perez won't reach the end of his new deal. Given that only Sauber still has a seat to give away for next season, it is realistic to say that Perez will not be there in 2025.
A potential Perez exit from the world of F1 also has implications for the Mexican Grand Prix. Last weekend was a huge sell-out, with fans filling the grandstand a the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez brilliantly. However, ticket sales for next year might take a hit if it becomes known that Perez may lose his spot in motorsport's premier class. However, Soberón does not think it will be such a big deal if the Mexican is not on the grid for next year.
"It is all about the right marketing. If we eventually don’t have Checo [Pérez] we are going to make the country cheer for someone else. We need to talk about which team will be the right team for us to follow. When you go to the Brazilian race, you see the following that Lewis Hamilton has: he became the local driver," Soberón told The Times. In Mexico, they look to try and follow the example of Brazil, where they have embraced the seven-time world champion now that there is no Brazilian driver active in Formula 1 since the departure of Felipe Massa.
Future of the Mexican Grand Prix
Soberón continued by saying: “The combination of having a bad show on the track without a local driver, it’s very difficult to overcome. But the combination of a good show on the track with no driver or a local driver with a bad show, you can get away with that. And I think we have a great show.” The Mexican Grand Prix's contract runs until 2025, but there is confidence in a contract extension, with or without Perez.
According to Soberón, the organisers could have sold 600,000 tickets for last weekend's race, more than 200,000 tickets than capacity. "Without Checo, there might be a 20-25 per cent drop, but we would still sell out."
This article was created in collaboration with Corwin Kunst
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