Mexico dropped for 2020 as Liberty eyes F1 return to Africa

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More changes are expected to the Formula 1 calendar with the announcement that Mexico will be dropped after 2019.

The race at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez has been popular since returning four years ago.

However, new president Andrés Manuel López Obrador targeted the funding for the Grand Prix as part of his austerity program upon his inauguration.

Now ESPN's Mexico edition is reporting that no deal has been reached between organisers and the government and as a result, it will not be included on the 2020 calendar.

The departure will likely make way for Vietnam with one more race, either Spain, Britain or Germany expected to make way for the newly announced Dutch GP.

Though next year's schedule is expected to remain at 21 events, beyond that Liberty Media is looking at further expansion, in particular in Africa.

"We have proactively been approached by Morocco and Marrakesh to take a Grand Prix there, there is a high degree of interest," commercial director Sean Bratches was quoted by GPFans.com.

"Formula 1 raced in South Africa before – there is a historic track in Kyalami – but I have been told that due to political considerations historically, that ceased.

"We are looking in the short term to have a race there. It is really important for us to have a race in Africa."

 

         

 

 

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