Mexican GP officials "concerned about the absence of Perez" in F1
F1 News
With Sergio Perez no longer on the Formula 1 grid for the 2025 season, the future of the Mexican Grand Prix may be in jeopardy. A new contract has yet to be signed between F1 and the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez circuit, and there is growing concern from Alejandro Soberon, CEO of the company CIE, the promoter of the Grand Prix, that Perez's absence from the grid will result in no contract being offered.
2011 was Perez' first year in F1, making his debut in the premier class of motorsport at Sauber. Fast forward to 2021, and after a stunning season with then-Racing Point (now Aston Martin, ed.), he was offered a place at Red Bull Racing alongside Max Verstappen. However, after just four seasons at the Austrian team, the Mexican parted ways, leaving him without a seat on the grid.
Many regard the second seat at Red Bull as the hardest job in all of F1, racing alongside the brilliant Verstappen. Pierre Gasly and Alex Albon could not make the most of their opportunities alongside the Dutchman, and although Perez did stay for four seasons, there were usually more disappointment than success stories. In 2024, it was a real struggle for the 35-year-old, with multiple Q1 eliminations and crashes ultimately sealing his fate, and at the end of the season, he was replaced by Liam Lawson.
Mexican Grand Prix officials "concerned" with Perez's F1 "absence"
An F1 grid without Perez also means that Mexican fans who flock to many Grands Prix throughout the season will have no one to cheer for in 2025, and the Mexican Grand Prix as a whole will hugely miss their home-town hero, with many millions of pounds coming from South American fans and sponsorship deals all thanks to Perez.
But without Perez, the future of the Mexican Grand Prix hangs in the balance, and promotor Soberon is not too optimistic about the chances of a contract extension for the Grand Prix in Mexico City, which runs out after the 2025 season.
"As organisers, we are very concerned about the absence of Sergio Perez from the Formula 1 grid," started Sorberon. "However, we are trying to find a way to extend our contract with the championship. We are now able to provide the public with a much better show than we did five years ago, and we believe that the competition between the drivers and the bright colours of our show is enough to keep the spectators interested.
"It all depends on marketing and, even if it is always better to have an idol of the local public available, in case there isn't one we are convinced that the fans will still find a hero to support," concluded the promotor.
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