Perez and Fittipaldi attend Mexico's official reopening
Sergio Perez and Emerson Fittipaldi were among the VIP guests as Mexico's Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez was officially reopened, one month before Formula One racing returns to the circuit following a 23-year absence.
Mexico City's Mayor Miguel Ángel Mancera, who was also among those to cut the ribbon at the opening ceremony of the revamped circuit, hailed the significance of the event, saying: "With the return of the Grand Prix to our country, we write a new story that will surely leave its mark on all Mexicans."
Francisco Maas-Peña, Undersecretary of Regulation and Quality Assurance of the Mexican Ministry of Tourism, added: "After 23 years, Mexico and the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez are ready to receive the world's best drivers and fans to enjoy the pinnacle of motorsport. I am sure that all visitors who come to be part of the historic return of the Formula 1 Grand Prix, will be thrilled with the race and everything the country has to offer, and will become enamoured with Mexico as well."
Alongside a new track surface, the revamped circuit features several layout changes - most notably at Peraltada, which has been redeveloped for safety reasons. Organisers of the Grand Prix have named the final corner of the new section in honour of 1992 world champion Nigel Mansell, who won the last race at the Mexico City venue in 1992, and famously passed Gerhard Berger around the outside of Peraltada during the 1990 race.
Perez, who will become the first Mexican to take part in a home Grand Prix in more than four decades, admitted he cannot wait to sample the new circuit for the first time. "I am anxious to test the refurbished track because of its emblematic history," he said. "I am sure that the Mexico Grand Prix will be one of the most exciting and challenging for the current generation of drivers."
The Formula 1 Gran Premio de Mexico 2015 takes place on October 30 - November 1. To book tickets to the event, click here.
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