The promoter of the Mexican Grand Prix remains optimistic about the race's future beyond 2024, despite growing concerns over its viability without home favourite Sergio Perez on the Formula 1 grid.
Since Mexico City rejoined the F1 calendar in 2015, the event has been a spectacle of national pride, largely centred around the success and presence of Perez.
However, with the current contract set to expire this year – coinciding with the 35-year-old's departure from Red Bull – uncertainty looms over the race's long-term future.
Several months ago, Alejandro Soberon, CEO of race promoter CIE, expressed confidence that the event could thrive beyond Perez's time in the sport.
"It's all about the right marketing," he said. "It's much better to have a local hero, but if you don't have that, the fans will still find a hero to follow."
However, now that Perez's absence from the grid is confirmed, Soberon admits the situation is more concerning.
"As the organisers, we are very concerned about Sergio's absence from the grid and are trying to find a way to extend the contract with Formula 1," he said.
Despite the uncertainty, Soberon believes the event has evolved into a top-tier spectacle that can continue to captivate audiences.
"We are now able to give the audience a much better show than we did five years ago, so I think the competition between the drivers and the other bright colours of our show will be enough to keep the audience interested."
