Mexican government pulls funding to host Grand Prix
- Published on 01 Feb 2019 18:20
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- By: Fergal Walsh
The future of the Mexican Grand Prix has been placed in doubt as the Mexican government has taken the decision to retract its funding.
The event at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez will not be in any danger this year. However, it does not have a contract in place to host the Mexican Grand Prix following the 2019 race.
At last year's general election in Mexico, the National Regeneration Movement headed by Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador came into power after defeating the previous administration.
As the government reallocates its national budget, the Mexico City head of government Claudia Sheinbaum told El Financiero the 400 million pesos (£16 million) that had been used to fund the annual race would instead be spent on the ‘Mayan Train’ railway project.
Mexico returned to the calendar in 2015 after being absent for 21 years. Before that, it was run from 1986 to 1992 at the same track, while the Magdelena Mixhuca was the first home of the Mexican GP from 1963 to 1970.
The Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez is one of five circuits that doesn't have a contract in place beyond the 2019 season, with the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya (Spain), Silverstone (Great Britain), Hockenheim (Germany) and Monza (Italy) the other tracks in danger of dropping off the calendar.
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Replies (10)
Login to replycalle.itw
Posts: 8,527
Well, RIP Mexican GP then. A bit unfortunate, considering the GP being pretty good.
xoya
Posts: 583
Of all five mentioned I will miss this one the least. I guess that's some kind of consolation.
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
Absolutely, but it was a nice exchange to see a real track added to the calendar for a change. An interesting note: which GP could you be completely without? As in the most bland event that brings none of the parameters the average fan would want from watching a race or going to a GP?
blade
Posts: 341
Interesting question Calle - I would miss Monaco the least, might be a surprise but this isn't a race at all, its merely a qually session followed by a procession. I would gladly keep Mexico ahead of Monaco in fact.
F1todayfan101
Posts: 120
@blade couldnt agree more. Monaco is the worst event of the year
xoya
Posts: 583
Yeah, agreed. Might have been good a long time ago, but monaco is the worst nowadays.
Sepang is probably the one I miss the most.
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
I personally feel Monaco is among my favourites, due to it being so unique. Generally it isnt the most intense race, but its a test for most drivers, its allegedly a nice race to attend, and it oozes of actual exclusivity (not the bullshit kind Ecclestone chased). I also liked last year's GP, since it was a proper test of endurance. The one I'd miss the least is either Russia or Abu Dhabi, leaning more towards axing Abu Dhabi. I just dont get anything from watching those two. Abu Dhabi is just a worse Bahrain GP, and like you guys feel with Monaco, I feel it and Sochi offer very little of anything.
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
Oh, and I'd miss Suzuka the most, hands down. When its good, those races are grand. Singapore, too, is another personal favourite.
blade
Posts: 341
Wont miss this one really, mickey mouse stadium section not great for racing really.
blade
Posts: 341
Monaco is about history, glamour, dashing chaps with handle-bar moustaches a-la Graham Hill, celebrity stars and royalty - when the cars were about half as wide as they are today......... I think it should be removed from the F1 calendar, but for sure, remain as a sort of 'Goodwood Festival of Sport' for the F1 purists. If you deport know about Goodwood, you should really, really save up and make the trip - its an epic annual event in the South of England - everyone and anything that's ever raced, with an engine is there - must see event.