Why F1 needs heritage races

Formula 1 isn't short of countries wanting to host a race. In recent times, Russia, Korea, China, Bahrain and, from next season, Azerbaijan, have paid big money to have that honour. And with limited space on the calendar, F1's heartland races have faced a battle to keep their place.

So it's heartening that Formula 1's latest addition is a return to an old favourite. This weekend Mexico, 15 times a host before, welcomes F1 back for the first time in 23 years.

Mexico's love affair with motorsport exploded with the Rodriguez brothers © LAT

"Twenty-three years is far too long a wait for a country which has a lot of passion for motor racing and culture of the automobile," says Mexican former McLaren stalwart Jo Ramirez. "But it's back and for millions of Mexicans, it's a dream come true."

The most recent additions to the calendar have traditionally been purpose-built venues with impressive facilities in some spectacular locations. But often they lack the atmosphere and packed grandstands that Silverstone and Montreal have because Formula 1 has no tradition in that country.

Mexico will have no such problems. The Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez oozes history and is boosted by the legend of Pedro and Ricardo Rodriguez, after whom the circuit has been named. The duo had legions of fans, having both made it to F1.

The outpouring of emotion when they died doing the sport they loved was testament to how much they meant to the Mexican people, and their influence and inspiration remains.

"We have a lot of respect for them," says Force India's Sergio Perez. "They were the two guys who stood up and did something in motorsport. We don't have many drivers who have done something big for Mexico.

"They are the ones who are very special. They are legends within the country. When I grew up, I was proud of what they achieved. They are the guys we admire."

Ferrari reserve Esteban Gutierrez adds: "Their legend is big in Mexico. There are a lot of fans who have kept the Rodriguez history alive. It's the Formula 1 heritage that we have and it's special."

That history has proved crucial in ensuring F1 remained in people's minds. Interest dropped when the race fell off the calendar after 1992, but the passion for motorsport remained - and when Perez joined the field in 2011, and Gutierrez two years later, enthusiasm began to rise.

Gutierrez (leading) raced on home soil in the 2008 Formula BMW world final © XPB

"You need a local driver," says Ramirez. "The people need someone to support, children need someone to aspire to." And in turn, that interest has helped build momentum to regain the race.

"Having Mexican drivers in F1 has made a big push to have the grand prix back," says Gutierrez. "We are at a certain level now but if a Mexican driver is more successful in F1, it's going to be huge. It's on the right path so that's positive."

Mexico is fortunate in that it has government funding - something British Grand Prix host Silverstone and many other European heartland races lack - but it has also secured private funding along with a promoter in CIE that has a proven record of promoting events, billing itself as the third largest event and entertainment company in the world.

It also has a billionaire motorsport supporter in Carlos Slim, the chairman of telecommunications company Telmex who has played a key role in reigniting Mexico's presence in F1, starting from the grassroots up.

He set up the Escuderia Telmex driver programme in 2002 to help Mexicans get a foot on the racing ladder - Perez and Gutierrez have been beneficiaries - and put money into F1, first with Sauber and currently with Force India and Ferrari.

The Mexican GP promoter is in no doubt Perez and Gutierrez's presence has helped the race sell-out, with a secondary batch of tickets released in response to demand snapped up quickly, too. That's something few races on the calendar can achieve.

F1 got a hint of that interest back in 2012 when it headed to Austin, with thousands making the trip across the border to support Perez. For their home race, that support will be on an even greater scale.

"The popularity of motorsport across the world is under a lot of stress because there so many other sports out there," says ex-Lotus and Benetton driver Johnny Herbert, who raced in Mexico in 1991 and '92.

"For it to succeed, you need the right people who love motorsport. Mexico has that. The people have motorsport knowledge. Mexicans love their racing.

"They haven't seen an F1 race on their patch for a long time. And yet they were waiting for tickets to go on sale. You can't buy that interest."

Nico Hulkenberg got a taste for what the atmosphere will be like when he headed to Mexico for the first time in January for Force India's season launch.

"Mexico is going to be really awesome because the Mexican flare, the attitude and the people are amazing," he says.

Force India sampled Mexico's enthusiasm for F1 with its 2015 launch © XPB

"I'd never been before, I was really impressed by the city, the people and the vibe. The fans are really enthusiastic."

Herbert agrees: "My most vivid memory of the last one was that it was packed and that the fans loved it, they love their racing. It was like a Monza-type atmosphere.

"They went crazy for it, you saw it in their faces. There are places you go, such as Monaco, where it's gentleman-type faces in the crowd and then you go to Monza and it's a completely different scenario. It's nice we have grabbed another one back, a race which has a lot of passion for the sport and the drivers."

While Ferrari reserve Gutierrez won't be in the car for Mexico, he does have a pretty good idea of what it will be like for Perez. "I had race in Mexico City for the Formula BMW World Final in 2008. It was a small introduction of what it could be to have a race in my country.

"I remember sitting on the grid and having so much media interest, so many photographers - it was all new to me. At that time, I was just starting out but there were a lot of people in grandstands and there was so much enthusiasm. The noise was incredible.

"It was only a Formula BMW race and there were about 30,000 people. Not huge I know, but for a Formula BMW race it was good. It sent tingles down my spine. It was a very special feeling and was something I've taken with me all the way through my career.

"Now we have the grand prix again, I'm looking forward to it. Of course, it'll be on a much bigger scale. I can't wait."

Mexico has done what the French Grand Prix has struggled to do by reclaiming its place on the F1 calendar and it has all the ingredients to ensure its third stint on the schedule is a long one.

If it succeeds in doing that, it will be important not only for Mexico but also the history and tradition of F1.