United States Grand Prix promoter Bobby Epstein has called for a calendar change to separate his race from the Mexican GP.
The Mexican race has followed the US GP since it returned to the calendar in 2015. The back to back rounds take place at the end of October this year and are set to take the same spots in 2018.
But Epstein believes the pairing makes the US and Mexican GPs compete for audiences. He says splitting the races would be in the best interest of the fans and the sponsors.
“We had a large audience that came from Mexico and now they’re sort of forced to choose between which one to go to,” Epstein told Reuters.
“If one of the manufacturers wants to do something in that time slot, and they are going to have to choose between the two. They’re going to spend their money only at one of the places.
“If they are spread out, you actually have the chance for them to activate in June and in October. To do something in both.”
He proposes brining the Mexican GP forward to pair it with the Canadian race, which is held in early June.
It’s understood Mexican promoters are happy with the date, which falls just before the Day of the Dead celebrations.
