Ecclestone signs Mexican F1 deal for 2015 (2nd Update)
The event will take place at the 2.747-mile Mexico City circuit.
During a press conference in Mexico on Wednesday, F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone sent a message saying he was delighted the country was getting F1 back.
"I feel it is the right time for F1 and Mexico and I'm sure it will be to the benefit of both for many years," he explained.
"I look forward to welcoming you all to this global event next year."
07/23/14
 |
| Modifications that were made for Champ Car to the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez in Mexico City |
This rumor is upgraded to 'fact' today. Mexico has secured its return to the formula one calendar in 2015.
The Mexico City-based events company CIE said in a filing with the country's stock exchange that it has signed a five-year contract with the sport.
The race, masterminded by former Austin F1 chief Tavo Hellmund and also involving Carlos Slim Domit, will take place at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez in Mexico City, which last hosted a grand prix in 1992.
Bernie Ecclestone confirmed to Forbes: "We have got Mexico past the post."
F1 business journalist Christian Sylt said the news will be made official in a press briefing in Mexico on Wednesday morning.
07/22/14 For more than two decades, Mexico has been without a Formula One Grand Prix. But if a new Mexican media report is true, that will be changing starting next year.
According to Mexico City-based newspaper Reforma, F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone has signed a five-year deal for a Mexican Grand Prix to be staged at the city’s Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez starting in 2015.
Per Reforma, the new deal has the support of the local and national governments, and also features an option to stay for an additional five-year period.
Multiple upgrades to the track and its infrastructure are believed necessary in order to get the Autodromo fit for F1. The track hosted Mexico’s two previous F1 runs from 1963-1970 and again from 1986-1992.
It has also been a home for American open-wheel racing, sports car racing, and NASCAR stock car racing over the years. NBC Sports
Last September, FIA race director Charlie Whiting was among multiple officials that visited the Autodromo for an inspection.
Joining Whiting were a representative from the company of F1’s leading track designer Hermann Tilke, FIA vice president Jose Abed, and former Austin F1 founder Tavo Hellmund.
A Mexican round of the World Championship was listed on the 2014 provisional calendar, but when the final 2014 calendar came out in December, it was found that Mexico had not made the cut along with Korea and the proposed Grand Prix of America in New Jersey.
It is believed that a Mexican Grand Prix would be placed toward the end of the year to go alongside the USGP at Austin’s Circuit of the Americas, which usually enjoys a decent following of Mexican fans that cross the border to support countrymen Sergio Perez of Force India and Esteban Gutierrez of Sauber.