Mexican Grand Prix on the verge of new contract with F1

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The Mexican Grand Prix is on the verge of securing its future on Formula 1 calendar, with Mexico City’s head of government, Clara Brugada, confirming that a new agreement is imminent.

Speaking at a press conference this week, Brugada said, “next week, we will be signing the agreement with F1,” providing the clearest indication yet that the popular race will remain on Grand Prix racing’s agenda.

The new contract is expected to be a three-year extension, keeping the event at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez until at least the end of 2028.

As in recent years, the race will continue to operate without federal government funding, relying instead on private investment. This model was first adopted in 2018 after then-President Andrés Manuel López Obrador withdrew public financial support.

A private trust formed by business leaders, alongside the city's government, has since sustained the race's place in Formula 1.

The Mexican race originally returned to the F1 calendar in 2015 after a 21-year absence and quickly became a fan favorite.

Following its initial five-year deal, subsequent three-year extensions have kept it alive, despite challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic, which saw the 2020 edition canceled.

Defying Expectations Post-Perez

There had been growing concerns that Mexico might lose its race after local hero Sergio Perez exited Formula 1 at the end of 2024.

Perez, who was released from Red Bull after a difficult two-year spell, had been a significant factor in the race’s resurgence, with his popularity galvanizing national interest in F1.

However, promoter company CIE has long prepared for a future independent of Perez. Executives highlighted a successful diversification strategy, growing ticket sales both domestically and internationally, which built a sustainable fan base not reliant on a single driver.

Their groundwork appears to have paid off, as enthusiasm for the Mexican Grand Prix remains strong despite Perez’s absence.

Read also: Sainz promises Madrid’s Madring will wow F1 drivers in 2026

Meanwhile, the former Red Bull driver is considering his future in motorsport after stepping away from F1, although rumors link him to a possible return to the grid with the Cadillac project.

With the new contract expected to be formalized within days, the Mexican Grand Prix looks set to continue thrilling fans for years to come — a testament to its resilience and growing international stature.

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.