Deal for 2018 Mexico race 99% done

A DEAL FOR INDYCAR TO RACE at the Formula 1 Mexican Grand

Prix venue in August 2018 is 99% complete, according to sources close to the race organisers.

Mexico City was listed as a provisional venue on the calendar as it had not been able to secure the date before the calendar was revealed due to September’s earthquake and limited promotion time.

Autosport has learned that Indycar is now likely to visit the venue in the first week of August – the slot vacated by the World Endurance Championship’s decision to create a ‘superseason’ and drop Mexico from its schedule.

Mark Miles, CEO of Indycar’s parent company Hulman & Co, confirmed to Autosport that “if the race happens, it’s August 5, at least for 2018” and that an alternative date “is really not even in question”.

It is understood that the reason the race has not yet been confirmed is because all parties did not want to detract attention from last weekend’s Mexican Grand Prix.

A condition for Indycar going to Mexico is that one Mexican driver must race. Former F1 driver Esteban Gutierrez is known to be working on a deal to race full-time in 2018.