Mexican Grand Prix promoter Alejandro Soberon said that organizers "would rather have their Formula One race paired with neighboring Texas than be back-to-back with Brazil," according to Alan Baldwin of REUTERS. Soberon:
"I think honestly, personally, it is a better idea to have it back-to-back with Texas. It creates an opportunity for European and Asian fans to come to this part of the world and in the space of 10 days see two races." Next year's provisional calendar "has Mexico penciled in for a Nov. 6 date, on the weekend before the Brazilian Grand Prix in Sao Paulo." The U.S. round "is scheduled as a stand-alone race on Oct. 23."
Soberon, the CEO of race organizer CIE, said that "this year's slot, coinciding with Mexico's Day of the Dead national holiday, was perfect for both locals and visitors." He said,
"We like that weekend. We need to have a conversation to see how the final calendar ends for next year because that weekend is really good for Mexican fans, it’s great to have it in the holiday." He also suggested that there "could also be closer ties with Austin's Circuit of the Americas (COTA) to create a package that would encourage fans to visit both." Soberon: "I think we should work well together, we should look for ways of collaboration. I think Austin is a wonderful race and there’s perfectly a space for the two races to be nearby" (REUTERS, 11/10). Former COTA CEO Jason Dial told SBD Global after this year's U.S. Grand Prix that he had already reached out to his counterparts in the Mexican capital about future collaboration. Dial, who left the circuit last week, said that he held talks regarding ticket packages and other promotions going forward. Dial said that COTA is open to do whatever it can to help grow the sport. He added that he believes the same is true for Mexican organizers. "Those type of things will happen just as we’ve created partnerships with UT [Univ. of Texas]," he said. "Those opportunities didn’t exist this year because Mexico City was in a sold-out position" (HJ Mai, SBD Global).
