WEC Launches 6H Mexico Event

A packed press conference took place in Mexico City on Sunday to herald the return of top-flight international endurance racing to Mexico, with key representatives from the FIA, the Mexican motorsports federation and FIA World Endurance Championship drivers on-hand.

The 6 Hours of Mexico Presented by AT&T was official launched to the Mexican media and public, in the presence of FIA President Jean Todt, the FIA World Endurance Championship’s CEO Gérard Neveu, Chief Marketing Officer of Presenting Sponsor AT&T Mexico, Victor Tiburcio, and José Abed from Mexico’s governing body of motorsport, OMDAI.

The fifth round of the WEC season will take place at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez on Sept. 1-3.

“One of the cornerstones of our championship is the strong partnership we have with our partners, competitors and, indeed, everyone who is part of the WEC including, of course, the media,” Neveu said.

“The WEC offers a unique stage on which to compete, at premier race circuits around the world, plus high visibility in key commercial automotive markets and this is why the 6 Hours of Mexico Presented by AT&T is so important for all concerned.

“We are proud to be bringing top level endurance racing back to Mexico and we are confident it will be a huge success.”

Ricardo Gonzalez, the promoter of the event, explained to the assembled media why – in addition to his role as a team owner and driver – he had seized the opportunity to stage the championship’s debut in Central America.

“The WEC for me means a lot because it has given me great satisfactions through my career,” he said.

“So be part of this project in my country it is a big challenge but I am confident that Mexico will make its mark on the WEC.

“I’m very happy to work with the WEC and bring the experience and the spirit of Le Mans to Mexico.”

The inclusion in the 2016 WEC calendar of the Latin American round resurrects a long history of endurance racing in Mexico, dating back to the days of Ricardo and Pedro Rodriguez.

An example of the 2015 WEC-winning Porsche 919 Hybrid LMP1 was on display at the conference venue in the Polanco area of the city.

The drivers present at the conference included Bruno Senna, Lucas di Grassi, Loïc Duval, Sébastien Buemi, Nicolas Prost and Sam Bird.

All had competed in last weekend’s FIA Formula E Championship race, held last weekend at the same venue.