The Mexican Grand Prix have accepted an apology from French publication Auto Hebdo concerning comments made about the event.
The French publication had said Ana Gabriela Guevara, the head of Mexico’s National Commission for Physical Culture and Sports, had made negative comments about the Mexican Grand Prix’s return.
The race at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez returned in 2015 for the first time in over 20 years and Guevara was quoted to have said that this was only because of bribery and corruption.
Guevara, in a statement published by the organisers of the Mexican Grand Prix denied talking to Auto Hebdo and saying anything negative about the event as a whole.
“I do not know who wrote those words and who put them out there.
“I did not make those statements. (…) I would never go against an event that is positive for our country.”
The organisers requested an explanation for the comments and after receiving one, released another statement accepting the apology and making it clear that their aim is to agree a new contract for the race with its current one running out next year.
“The FORMULA 1 GRAN PREMIO DE MÉXICO™ and OMDAI FIA MÉXICO acknowledge the statement made by publishers of AUTOhebdo earlier today and accept their apology.
“We are very proud of what we have achieved since the Mexican Grand Prix returned to the Formula 1® calendar in 2015.
“Our contract runs until 2019 and we look forward to commencing discussions regarding the renewal with all stakeholders in due course.
“These conversations must and will take place in private.
“We run our event through strict governance, compliance and with full transparency. We will maintain this way of working and ensure that we continue to promote our country in a positive manner.”
