The Grand Prix in Mexico will celebrate its 10th anniversary, since its return to the Formula 1 calendar, with another sold-out crowd, an accomplishment celebrated by promoters who worried the absence of local hero Sergio Perez in the field this year would cause a decline.
An estimated 150,000 people are expected on Sunday at Autodromo Hermanos Rodríguez as four-time reigning Formula 1 champion Max Verstappen continues to chip away at his deficit to McLaren teammates Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris in the driver championship race.
Alejandro Soberon Kuri, the founder and CEO of promoters Grupo CIE and OCESA, said Perez not having a ride this season forced them work harder to sell out the race. Tickets go on sale nearly a year in advance and because the Mexican driver was still with Red Bull at the time, there was an initial early rush on purchasing.
But when Perez was fired at the end of the season, sales slowed, Kuri said Saturday: "It was an interesting year for us because of the absence of Checo, who is very much beloved by the Mexican fans.
Sunday sell-out crowd for Mexico City Grand Prix
"But we were very sure that we had a lot of traction with the community. They're very fond of Formula 1, very knowledgeable about Formula 1, and again, another sellout," Kuri revealed.
Perez has been hired alongside Valtteri Bottas to be the first drivers for the Cadillac F1 team launching next season - a boost that already has led to at least one additional suite sale for General Motors for the 2026 race. With Perez expected to be back on the grid in Mexico City next year, promoters are eager to open the ticket sales window.
"It was 90% sold at the beginning (when Perez had a ride), and then it smoothly reached the sold-out mark," Kuri said. "We're going to go on sale in three weeks, almost 11 months in advance."
The race is on F1's schedule through the 2028 season and next year will have to compete for spending dollars with soccer's World Cup, which will be partially held in Mexico.
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