Pair Mexico with Canada, – F1 promoter Epstein

US GRAND Prix promoter Bobby Epstein is still pushing for his race in Texas to be split from neighbouring Mexico on the Formula One calendar.

The two races are on back-to-back weekends, with Austin’s Circuit of the Americas playing host on October 22 before the action shifts to Mexico City’s Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez on October 29.

Epstein has long maintained that the scheduling is more geared for Formula One’s convenience, from a standpoint of logistics and saving on freight costs, than in the best interests of fans and sponsors.

Any hopes that the sport’s new owners Liberty Media, who took over in January with a fan-first approach, might change the arrangement were dashed when the pairing was retained on the draft 2018 calendar.

“They came out with their calendar in June, and I don’t expect that to change any time soon. I think it’s going to be that way,” Epstein said.

“It would certainly be better for the promoter if the races were further apart on the calendar. Mexico with Canada. We’d be with Brazil.”

Brazil’s Interlagos circuit in Sao Paulo is the penultimate race in November while Canada’s Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal enjoys its moment in the limelight in June.

Mexico made its return in 2015 after a 23-year absence, drawing a crowd of 134 000. Austin has hosted the US round since 2012 and was paired with Brazil for the first three years.

“We had a large audience that came from Mexico and now they’re sort of forced to choose between which one to go to,” Epstein said.

“If one of the manufacturers wants to do something in that time slot, and they have a budget to do one race in October, then they are going to have to choose between the two. They’re going to spend their money only at one of the places.

“If they are spread out, you actually have the chance for them to activate in June and in October, to do something in both.” Mexican Grand Prix organisers are happy with their date, which comes just before the annual Day of the Dead holidays.

That race is backed by the government, which pays the hosting fees to Formula One and sees it as an important driver for tourism and Mexico’s image abroad.

Last year’s US Grand Prix drew an event record three-day crowd of 269 000, thanks in large part to a Taylor Swift concert on the Saturday evening that was watched by 80 000 people.

ý Polish driver Robert Kubica will test with Williams this month as he chases a Formula One comeback after a sevenyear absence.

The former world champions have yet to finalise their 2018 lineup, with Brazilian veteran Felipe Massa’s place potentially at stake.

While there was no official comment from Williams, media reports yesterday said the 32-year-old would have an initial run out at Silverstone after this weekend’s Japanese Grand Prix.

It would certainly be better for the promoter if the races were further apart