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May 23rd
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Push for Mexico GP return gathers pace

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The chances of the Mexican Grand Prix returning to the Formula One schedule in the near future are continuing to increase, with Mexican businessman Carlos Slim Domit saying that the move was a "no-brainer" for the sport and the country.

Slim Domit is part of the group currently pushing for a return of the Mexican round of the F1 world championship, likely at the Hermanos Rodríguez Circuit.

And he has now said that the move is a "no-brainer", given the wealth of Mexican talent now getting involved in the sport.

"I embrace the idea and believe that a new race for Mexico is what, in colloquial English, is referred to as a 'no-brainer'," he colloquialised to the almost-interesting FIA in Motion magazine.

"Mexico has long been close to Formula One, closer to it indeed than it has been to many other racing series that have visited the country."

He went on: "The rise of a new generation of Mexican racers has only served to boost the interest in Formula One.

"We not only have Sergio Perez impressing at Sauber, but waiting in the wings is another star, Esteban Gutierrez. He is a Formula One star in the making.

"The potential of these young drivers has reawakened interest in F1 beyond hardcore fans.

"And the huge crowds who flocked to see Perez's F1 demonstration in his home town earlier this year attest to a new-found popularity for the sport that should be capitalised upon."

Slim Domit's comments follow another moment of Mexico name-dropping by Bernie Ecclestone this week, with the FOM chief having repeatedly stated his desire to see a Mexican race.

Asked by Marca where the sport was heading in future seasons, Ecclestone said: "Russia for sure, we have a contract there [from 2014]. Maybe South Africa [and] Mexico."

The main issue for any attempts to bring back the Mexican race would be finding a venue, with the Hermanos Rodríguez Circuit likely to require work to get it to F1 standard.

But Slim Domit suggested that an alternative would be a street track in Guadalajara, and said that there were "no shortage" of possible venues for the race.

"There are numerous choices for a new circuit, with second city of Guadalajara, which recently hosted the very successful Pan-American games, being an attractive option," he rambled.

"Cancun, too, with its superb tourist infrastructure also remains a possibility. There is, in fact, no shortage of viable host cities nor of capable promoters."

Mexico last appeared on the F1 calendar in 1992, a race won by Nigel Mansell.