Is Mexico’s F1 Future Truly Independent of Sergio Perez?

The Mexican Grand Prix is electric. Every year, the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez lights up into a sea of green, white, and red, with thousands cheering for their home hero, Sergio Perez. But Perez’s F1 future — and by extension, the future of F1’s presence in Mexico — sits on a knife’s edge.

As questions mount around the 34-year-old driver’s place at Red Bull Racing, an even more critical question looms: can Mexico’s love affair with F1 survive if Perez exits the paddock?

Sergio Perez: The face of Mexico’s F1 boom

Perez isn’t just any other racing driver in Mexico. He has been the flagbearer of F1 in the nation for over a decade. From a young talent to a Red Bull race winner, his exploits on track led to a huge influx of Mexican fans and sponsors in the sport.

Driving in the midfield for a long time, he finally got his due at a top team like Red Bull in 2021, which is where he also became the first Mexican driver since Pedro Rodriguez to win a Grand Prix. With each victory, Perez’s status as a national icon grew, making the Mexican GP an unmissable event for fans and a prime investment for sponsors.

But Perez’s struggles to keep pace with teammate Max Verstappen in the past two seasons have raised serious questions about his future. And in Mexico, it’s not just Perez’s seat on the line but the very fabric of F1’s connection. Sponsors are watching closely, fans are nervous, and the Mexican GP’s future suddenly feels vulnerable.

Although the organizer of the Grand Prix said that Perez’s future will have no bearing on the Mexican Grand Prix’s future. Alejandro Soberon believes the Guadalajara-born driver still has a strong career ahead of him, despite the challenges. He emphasized that the Mexican F1 fans are passionate about the sport itself, with Perez adding significant value.

Soberon also added that the quality of the show on track has improved remarkably over the recent years and is confident that it will keep the fans engaged. Nevertheless, they are exploring ways to extend the contract, independent of Perez’s presence.

Will Red Bull move on from Perez?

Perez‘s Red Bull journey has been of career highs and turbulent lows. In 2022, Perez had multiple podiums and wins to notch up his highest points tally (305) in F1. But 2023 saw Perez battling inconsistencies and coming up short against Verstappen’s dominance despite finishing second in the standings with 20 points less.

Reports now hint that the Milton Keynes-based team’s patience may be wearing thin, with Perez facing increasing pressure to deliver to retain his seat. With Red Bull’s past reputation of making stern driver lineup decisions, this is no idle threat.

Failing to meet expectations doesn’t just mean losing out on podiums; it means losing the race to stay relevant. And with young talent waiting in the wings, Perez knows each weekend could be a make-or-break moment for his career. If he loses his seat, Mexico may lose its hero, and with him, a major driver of fan interest and sponsorship dollars for the Mexican GP.

A fragile symbiosis: The Mexican GP and Perez’s future

First introduced to the championship calendar in 1963, the Mexican GP has never felt more alive since Perez’s Red Bull arrival. With its return in 2015, the most recent extensions of the race contract to 2025 reflect this popularity.

But here’s the catch: its long-term sustainability hinges on Perez. For now, Perez’s magnetic pull drives ticket sales, sponsor investments, and a passionate fanbase that fills the grandstands every year.

However, if the #11 driver steps down or fades from the F1 spotlight, sponsors and stakeholders may reassess their commitment. Financial backers are pragmatic, and if Perez is no longer around to bring attention to the event, their interest — and, by extension, the race’s feasibility — may weaken.

How Mexico can secure its place in F1

For the Mexican GP to truly thrive, it has to evolve past its reliance on one star. The event needs to tap into the passion of the fans and the potential of rising talents, transforming the Grand Prix into a celebration of Mexico’s motorsport spirit, not just Perez’s success.

While Perez has undeniably put Mexican motorsport on the map, the Grand Prix’s future rests on creating a new, broader identity that can attract fans, with or without a home hero to cheer on.

Rising talents like IndyCar’s Pato O’Ward and F2’s Rafael Villagomez represent potential future F1 contenders, showing that Perez’s legacy could inspire a new generation. Investment in grassroots motorsport programs and driver development could secure the next wave of Mexican F1 hopefuls, giving fans other homegrown talents to rally behind and helping make the Mexican GP a permanent fixture on the calendar.