Mexican Grand Prix organisers are bracing for a record crowd at this year's edition of the race, in a country that has two drivers on the grid - Esteban Gutierrez and Sergio Perez - a few knocking on the door and a rich heritage set by the Rodriguez brothers, Ricardo and Pedro, which began over four decades ago.
Rodrigo Sanchez, the director of marketing and media relations for the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez told ESPN, "Last year we did 336,000. So if we can get to that 350,000 it would be amazing. The preparations are pretty fantastic. We are just around the corner, around 47 days from the race, so everything is pretty good, going on schedule."
The race takes place on 30 October, with the 2016 Formula 1 world title battle, between Mercedes duo Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg, likely to be undecided.
Sanchez pointed out, "We had the WEC [World Endurance Championship] race a couple of weeks back at the track, so basically we're fully moving [our focus] to the track and all the loading, all the production, all that stuff. It's really going very well."
Last year's race was a huge success, returning to the grand prix calendar for the first time since 1992, and fans ensured that it was one of the most colourful and well supported races of the year.
"So far, we're 93 percent sold out," explained Sanchez. "So there's very few tickets left. I think the response of the public has been absolutely amazing. It's really nice to be 47 days out and only have to worry about seven percent of the inventory.
"The difference from this year to last year is why fix it if it's not broken? It's about enhancing more of what we did last year and be able to provide fans with the right set of tools or circumstances for them to really express that very unique passion and replicate that very special event that we had last year."
Perez and Gutierrez are also a crowd-pulling factor, which Sanchez acknowledges, "For sure, I think this is a special year. For the fans it's going to be a treat to see two full-time Mexican drivers at the grand prix, so that's going to be great. The results Sergio has been having in the first half of the year have been absolutely amazing.
"We have a saying here that we go to church every Sunday hoping we can see another podium in Mexico! I think the world would be amazed at the reaction if one of our drivers really performed and really got on the podium. So we're praying about that," he added.
Latest News
Loading
