The Mexico City Grand Prix has established itself as one of Formula 1’s most distinctive and successful events, but race promoter Federico Gonzalez believes its continued success depends on improving small details rather than introducing dramatic changes. With the event’s current F1 contract running until 2028, organisers are focusing on the spectator experience, Mexican culture and the economic benefits that could help secure the race’s long-term future.
Speaking to The Race Business, Federico Gonzalez explained that the Grand Prix’s success does not come from radical reinventions or increasingly elaborate spectacles. Instead, it is built on a series of practical improvements designed to make the overall experience more enjoyable for fans.
“Small changes become a big experience,” the Mexico City GP promoter explained, outlining a philosophy that places equal importance on the smallest organisational details and the broader identity of the event.
Mexico City GP success is built on attention to detail
Since returning to the Formula 1 calendar in 2015, the Mexican Grand Prix has developed a reputation for its distinctive atmosphere and passionate spectators. Yet despite its established position within the championship, organisers continue looking for relatively simple ways to improve the event.
Federico Gonzalez believes that the key is not to reinvent the race every year, but to identify practical changes that make a noticeable difference to those attending.
“Everyone always asks me what we’re doing differently. The answer is a collection of small things. We’re not turning everything upside down, and we’re not going to run the circuit anticlockwise.”
Among the examples he highlighted are aluminium beer cups, with carbon dioxide introduced first so that the drink reaches customers already cold, and the effort made to ensure that bathrooms remain dry and comfortable throughout the event.
These details may appear relatively insignificant when considered individually, but the promoter believes their combined effect is what creates a memorable Grand Prix experience.
“What can we do better? Small things. Small things. Small things.”
The approach reflects a broader organisational philosophy in which the experience of attending a Formula 1 race extends beyond the action on the circuit. Comfort, hospitality and the quality of everyday services are treated as important parts of the event rather than secondary considerations.
Mexican culture and Día de los Muertos remain central to the Grand Prix
The same attention to detail also extends to the celebration of Mexico’s cultural identity. Rather than relying exclusively on international celebrities or entertainment imported from elsewhere, the organisers want the Grand Prix to reflect the traditions and characteristics of the host city.
The 2026 event places particular emphasis on Día de los Muertos, the traditional Mexican Day of the Dead celebration. The objective is to showcase authentic local traditions and strengthen the connection between Formula 1 and the surrounding community.
One example is the decision not to invite an international star to perform the national anthem. Instead, the responsibility has been entrusted to Coral Ensamble Mexico AC, an independent, non-profit choral ensemble.
Federico Gonzalez explained that the city’s cultural identity is one of the event’s greatest strengths, giving the Mexican Grand Prix something that other races cannot simply reproduce.
“Part of our advantage is the culture and the city we have around us. So every year, we’ll focus on different aspects to make it even more local. Everyone benefits. We serve Mexican wine in the hospitality areas because that creates an economic benefit for everyone. It’s part of our responsibility.”
The emphasis on local products and performers is therefore not merely a question of presentation. It is also intended to generate economic opportunities within Mexico and ensure that the benefits of hosting a major international sporting event extend into the surrounding community.
Sustainability initiatives form another part of this strategy. Among the projects supported by the organisers is the restoration of the chinampas of Xochimilco, traditional agricultural plots built on artificial islands that represent an important part of Mexico City’s biocultural heritage.
By contributing to their preservation, the Grand Prix aims to connect its environmental responsibilities with the protection of traditions and landscapes that are closely associated with the Mexican capital.
Mexico GP audience has changed dramatically since Formula 1 returned in 2015
The spectators attending the Mexican Grand Prix have also changed substantially since the race returned to the Formula 1 calendar in 2015.
At that time, approximately 90% of the audience consisted of dedicated male Formula 1 enthusiasts. Over the following decade, however, the demographic profile became considerably broader, with more women, younger spectators and people who were relatively new to the sport.
Federico Gonzalez attributes much of this transformation to the growing popularity of Formula 1, the influence of the Netflix series Drive to Survive and the appeal of Mexican driver Sergio Perez.
“The audience has changed a lot since 2015,” he explained. “Now, after 10 years, there’s a younger, more female generation, as well as people who are beginning to understand racing. Between Checo and the impact of Drive to Survive, there’s an enormous amount of interest.”
The strength of this broader audience was demonstrated in 2025, when the Mexican Grand Prix sold out despite Sergio Perez not being on the Formula 1 grid.
For organisers, that result was an important indication that the event had developed an identity capable of attracting spectators independently of the presence of a particular driver.
“We love Checo and we’re delighted to have him back. But I think the audience has evolved and has a better understanding of racing.”
The challenge now is to maintain that enthusiasm while helping newer spectators develop a deeper connection with motorsport.
One of the initiatives designed to achieve this is the introduction of Formula 2 support races from 2027. The organisers want to give fans a clearer understanding of the development pathway leading to Formula 1, while also creating opportunities for Mexican drivers competing in the junior categories to connect with their home audience.
The intention is to strengthen the relationship between spectators and the wider racing environment, making the Mexican Grand Prix more than an isolated annual Formula 1 event.
Mexico City GP contract renewal: What happens after 2028?
While the race continues to attract considerable interest, its long-term position on the Formula 1 calendar will also depend on the support of local authorities.
The original agreement that brought the Mexican Grand Prix back to the championship in 2015 involved the federal government. However, that arrangement expired in 2019, after which responsibility for supporting the event passed to the Mexico City government.
The change also contributed to the event adopting its current official name, the Mexico City Grand Prix, reflecting the role played by the capital’s authorities in maintaining Formula 1’s presence.
The existing agreement runs until 2028, meaning a further extension will need to be considered to ensure the race continues beyond that point.
Mexico City Mayor Clara Brugada’s current term runs until 2030, placing the potential contract renewal within her administration’s period in office.
Federico Gonzalez emphasised that the decision cannot be taken by race organisers alone, because the event operates through a partnership with the city.
“This is a partnership we have with the city. If the city is happy to renew, then we’ll continue together with them. One of the main reasons for holding this race is the economic impact and the international image of Mexico City. So it’s not just our decision; it’s a decision we make together with the Mexican authorities.”
Consequently, the negotiations will involve more than the sporting value of hosting a Formula 1 race. The authorities will also need to consider the wider benefits for tourism, employment, business activity and the international visibility of the Mexican capital.
The 2028 expiry makes the Grand Prix’s future an important issue as organisers look to maintain the event’s established place on the championship calendar.
Mexico City GP economic impact reaches an estimated $8.4 billion
The economic figures associated with the Mexican Grand Prix provide organisers with a significant argument in favour of maintaining the event.
Between 2015 and 2025, the combined economic benefits attributed to the race were estimated at $8.4 billion, including the wider value generated for Mexico and its international exposure.
During the same period, the event is credited with helping create more than 90,000 jobs, highlighting its influence beyond the Formula 1 paddock and the immediate activities at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez.
The figures for 2025 were particularly significant. The Grand Prix was estimated to have generated approximately $1 billion in direct economic impact, alongside a further $176 million in additional economic activity within Mexico City.
These estimates demonstrate why the event is considered important by its organisers and why its continuation depends partly on the economic and promotional benefits it provides to the host city.
For Federico Gonzalez, maintaining these benefits means continuing to improve the overall event rather than assuming that the race’s existing popularity will automatically guarantee its future.
The promoter’s emphasis on local culture, spectator satisfaction and sustainable initiatives is closely connected to that longer-term objective. By strengthening the experience for fans while supporting the surrounding economy, organisers hope to preserve the characteristics that have made the Mexican Grand Prix successful.
Sergio Perez celebrates Mexico homecoming with Cadillac showrun and new contract
The celebrations surrounding the 2026 Mexico City Grand Prix have also featured Sergio Perez, who returned to Formula 1 with Cadillac this season.
On Wednesday, 28 October, the Mexican driver took part in a special showrun in Mexico City, driving the APXGP car associated with the F1 film, presented in Cadillac colours. The demonstration formed part of the activities surrounding the Grand Prix and gave local supporters another opportunity to see their home driver ahead of the race weekend.
Meanwhile, Sergio Perez has extended his contract with Cadillac until 2029, confirming his long-term commitment to the American team and its Formula 1 project. The Mexican Grand Prix will also mark a significant career milestone for the driver, who is set to celebrate his 300th Formula 1 Grand Prix start at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez.
His return to the grid, combined with his new agreement and the milestone awaiting him at his home race, provides an additional focus for an event that has maintained strong support even as its audience has evolved.
For the organisers, the challenge is now to build on that enthusiasm while protecting the cultural identity, economic value and attention to detail that have made the Mexico City Grand Prix such a distinctive fixture on the Formula 1 calendar.
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