Mexico set to re-join the WRC calendar in 2023
Rally Mexico is set to rejoin the World Rally Championship in 2023 after a two-year absence.
The return of the gravel rally was announced by event organisers RallyMex on Monday although a date for next year’s event and the length of its contract is yet to be revealed.
The last time the WRC visited Mexico was in 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic began to spread worldwide and organisers were forced to cancel the final leg of the rally to allow drivers and teams to return home as global borders began to close to reduce infection rates.
That year's Rally Mexico was suspended on Saturday with Sebastien Ogier leading, the Frenchman was declared the winner before going on to win the championship.
The event was the last WRC round before a long break that led the category to restart a calendar based around European events, beginning with Rally Estonia in September.
This year represented an opportunity to return to Central and South America, but transportation costs prevented the WRC from hosting events in Mexico and Argentina.
However, today’s announcement will see the WRC return to the continent next year with the event to be held in the state of Guanajuato. The competition will once again have the support of the local government of Guanajuato.
Ole Christian Veiby, Jonas Andersson, Hyundai Motorsport Hyundai i20 R5
Photo by: Austral / Hyundai Motorsport
The date of the round of the calendar is not yet defined, but everything suggests that it will be held in March as has been a tradition to avoid the hottest periods, as well as the rains of the following months.
The president of Rally Mexico, Juan Suberville, indicated in the conference that the work to secure a new agreement was carried out throughout 2021.
As previously reported, the WRC is aiming for a 14-round 2023 calendar focussed around eight European rounds and six fly away events.
It has already been confirmed that one of the long haul rounds will be Safari Rally Kenya, which has already agreed a deal until 2026.
A return to Germany for the first time since 2019 is understood to be a potential European option although a firm proposal is yet to be issued to the WRC.
Related video
WRC ace Neuville keen for ETCR outing after Hyundai car swap
Tanak: No extra pressure to perform at WRC Rally Estonia
Formula E to drop unpopular qualifying format, introduce knock-outs
Formula E to drop unpopular qualifying format, introduce knock-outs Formula E to drop unpopular qualifying format, introduce knock-outs
Brown: 2021 was a great season for O’Ward despite title loss
Brown: 2021 was a great season for O’Ward despite title loss Brown: 2021 was a great season for O’Ward despite title loss
Reutemann moved out of intensive care as condition improves
Reutemann moved out of intensive care as condition improves Reutemann moved out of intensive care as condition improves
Why Honda MotoGP team wouldn't block Marc Marquez's exit
Why Honda MotoGP team wouldn't block Marc Marquez's exit Why Honda MotoGP team wouldn't block Marc Marquez's exit
Has IndyCar's Texas loss come at the right time?
Has IndyCar's Texas loss come at the right time? Has IndyCar's Texas loss come at the right time?
Di Grassi leaves Mahindra Formula E team
Di Grassi leaves Mahindra Formula E team Di Grassi leaves Mahindra Formula E team
Williams: Costly F1 crashes masking Sargeant's "steady improvement"
Williams: Costly F1 crashes masking Sargeant's "steady improvement" Williams: Costly F1 crashes masking Sargeant's "steady improvement"
How the WRC saw a different side to Rovanpera in his latest Acropolis triumph
How the WRC saw a different side to Rovanpera in his latest Acropolis triumph How the WRC saw a different side to Rovanpera in his latest Acropolis triumph
How iconic cars from each WRC era compare at the hands of Petter Solberg
How iconic cars from each WRC era compare at the hands of Petter Solberg How iconic cars from each WRC era compare at the hands of Petter Solberg
How the WRC title race was ignited by Evans in Finland
How the WRC title race was ignited by Evans in Finland How the WRC title race was ignited by Evans in Finland
How Rovanpera reached a Loeb-like level in Estonia WRC domination
How Rovanpera reached a Loeb-like level in Estonia WRC domination How Rovanpera reached a Loeb-like level in Estonia WRC domination
How Ogier held his nerve to repeat Toyota's Safari WRC rout
How Ogier held his nerve to repeat Toyota's Safari WRC rout How Ogier held his nerve to repeat Toyota's Safari WRC rout
The Neuville splash and grab that ends Hyundai’s WRC win drought
The Neuville splash and grab that ends Hyundai’s WRC win drought The Neuville splash and grab that ends Hyundai’s WRC win drought
How Rovanpera fired the WRC a timely reminder of his class in Portugal
How Rovanpera fired the WRC a timely reminder of his class in Portugal How Rovanpera fired the WRC a timely reminder of his class in Portugal
How Evans ended his WRC drought in sombre Croatia breakthrough
How Evans ended his WRC drought in sombre Croatia breakthrough How Evans ended his WRC drought in sombre Croatia breakthrough
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.