IndyCar and Mexico to re-engage on potential 2026 race
Today at 08:56 AM
Penske Entertainment and the promoter of the Mexico City Grand Prix intend to re-engage early in 2025 to discuss the possibility of bringing the NTT IndyCar Series to the home country of its most popular driver, Pato O'Ward.
The Arrow McLaren star, who was overwhelmed with support from adoring fans last weekend (pictured above) at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez as he took part in Free Practice 1 in the McLaren MCL38-Mercedes normally piloted by Lando Norris, would be the main attraction for a Mexican IndyCar event.
Talks have been held in the past, which led to suggestions O'Ward lacked the star power to draw a meaningful crowd and no agreements being formed. But with O'Ward's ongoing spike in followers, and the prospect of Red Bull Formula 1 driver and national hero Sergio Perez nearing the end of his grand prix career, an IndyCar event with O'Ward as the centerpiece could benefit the series and promoter in new and compelling ways.
"Discussions regarding an IndyCar race in Mexico City have been positive and we look forward to continuing the conversation," a Penske Entertainment spokesperson told RACER of its interest to host a race in 2026. "Pato's presence this past weekend underscores the intense interest from fans and the massive and still growing star power he brings forward."
American open-wheel racing paid its last visit to Mexico in 2007 with the former Champ Car World Series — Sebastien Bourdais won the race and celebrated his fourth consecutive CCWS title in what would prove to be the series' final season. NASCAR also raced at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez in the 2000s and is set to return in 2025 with its premier Cup Series.
After a long absence, F1 has been the marquee series at the revised circuit since 2015 and brings one of the series' largest crowds on the calendar. F1 has one more race on its contract with the promoter before a new agreement to continue in 2026 and beyond will be required. Whether those negotiations to continue with F1 would interfere with courting and welcoming another significant open-wheel series in IndyCar is unclear.
