Alejandro Soberón, CEO and general director of the Inter-American Entertainment Corporation (CIE), has talked about the possibility of including an IndyCar race in Mexico, considering the participation of Mexican driver Pato O’Ward in that competition. His presence in the first practice session of Formula 1 this weekend generated great enthusiasm among Mexican fans.
Soberón highlighted that Formula One remains "the king of racing," and stated that the Mexican Grand Prix has been considered a true F1 festival since its reintegration into the calendar in 2015. It attracts hundreds of thousands of people who come year after year to witness the best of motorsport.
Regarding attendance at the event, Soberón mentioned that the South American nation lacks the necessary conditions for a race to be truly sustainable. An appropriate racetrack, a promoter willing to invest a considerable amount of money, among other conditions that F1 considers essential to add a race to its already tight calendar of 24 Grands Prix, are required.
Despite doubts about the future of the Mexican Grand Prix, especially with the potential withdrawal of local driver Sergio Pérez, Soberón remained optimistic. For him, the competition and the spectacle on the track will be enough to maintain public interest, regardless of the presence of a local driver. He emphasized the importance of marketing to engage the audience and ensure the success of the event.
The executive also noted that the company he belongs to, CIE, is dedicated to creating experiences, and since 2015 they have worked on improving the Mexican Grand Prix event to guarantee that fans return year after year. Additionally, he mentioned that total attendance at the GP in 2024 broke records with more than 400,000 spectators.
In another context, the Secretary of Tourism of Mexico, Josefina Rodríguez Zamora, reported expectations of significant economic benefits in the context of the Grand Prix. Conversations have begun with F1 and local authorities to seek an extension of the event contract, which is currently valid until 2025.
Finally, the Netflix docuseries "Drive to Survive" has contributed to educating the public about racing and motorsport, something that Soberón has highlighted. Additionally, the arrival of young Argentine driver Franco Colapinto to Formula 1 has generated excitement and boosted the possibility of Argentina having its own race in the championship.
