GreenBkk.com Formula 1 | Mexican Grand Prix return 'a no-brainer', says Carlos Slim Domit

Mexican Grand Prix return 'a no-brainer', says Carlos Slim Domit

By Pablo Elizalde

Thursday, December 1st 2011, 13:39 GMT

The return of Mexico to the Formula 1 calendar should be a no-brainer, according to Mexican businessman Carlos Slim Domit.

Slim Domit, the son of the world's richest man Carlos Slim, has been working with entertainment company CIE to take Formula 1 back to the country after an absence of nearly 20 years.

Slim Domit believes Mexico should capitalise on the rising interest created by drivers such as Sergio Perez, now racing for Sauber, to be back on the F1 calendar for the first time since 1992.

"I embrace the idea and believe that a new race for Mexico is what, in colloquial English, is referred to as a 'no-brainer'," Slim Domit wrote in a column for the FIA in Motion magazine. "Mexico has long been close to Formula 1, closer to it indeed than it has been to many other racing series that have visited the country.

"The rise of a new generation of Mexican racers has only served to boost the interest in Formula 1. We not only have Sergio Perez impressing at Sauber, but waiting in the wings is another star, Esteban Gutierrez. He is a Formula 1 star in the making.

"The potential of these young drivers has reawakened interest in F1 beyond hardcore fans and the huge crowds who flocked to see Perez's F1 demonstration in his home town earlier this year attest to a new-found popularity for the sport that should be capitalised upon."

He also reckons a Mexican race would work perfectly to consolidate the sport in North America together with the races in Canada and the planned events in the USA.

"Linking races in Canada and the US with a Mexican round would perfectly consolidate Formula 1's footprint in North and Central America and provide a viable bridge to the race in Brazil," he said.

Slim Domit says there are plenty of options for a grand prix circuit in the country, with a street circuit in Guadalajara one of possibilities being looked at.

"There are numerous choices for a new circuit, with second city of Guadalajara, which recently hosted the very successful Pan-American games, being an attractive option. Cancun, too, with its superb tourist infrastructure also remains a possibility. There is, in fact, no shortage of viable host cities nor of capable promoters."

He added: "The bottom line is that Mexico's loss of Formula 1 in 1992 was an unfortunate occurrence. However, the loss of Mexico to Formula 1 can now be seen as something more than unfortunate.

"With a committed, educated fan base, local involvement at driver level, first class infrastructure, tourism potential and solid marketing imperatives all within easy reach, it is, in fact, a wonder that Mexico has been absent from the calendar for so long."

Credit: AUTOSPORT.COM (www.autosport.com)