Penske Entertainment and the promoter of the Mexico City Grand Prix intend to reconnect in early 2025 to discuss the possibility of bringing the NTT IndyCar Series to the home country of its most popular driver, Pato O’Ward.

The Arrow McLaren star, who was overwhelmed with support from adoring fans last weekend (pictured above) at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez when he took part in Free Practice 1 in the McLaren MCL38-Mercedes normally driven by Lando Norris, would be the main attraction of a Mexican IndyCar event.

Talks have been held in the past, leading to suggestions that O’Ward lacked the star power to draw a meaningful audience, and no deals were formed. But with O’Ward’s ongoing peak in supporters, and the prospect of Red Bull Formula 1 driver and national hero Sergio Perez nearing the end of his grand prix career, an IndyCar event centered on O’Ward could benefit the series and the promoter in new and compelling ways.

“Discussions regarding an IndyCar race in Mexico City have been positive and we look forward to continuing the conversation,” a Penske Entertainment spokesperson told RACER about its interest in hosting a race in 2026. “Pato’s presence this past weekend underscores that intense fan interest and the massive and still growing star power he brings.”

American open-wheel racing made its final visit to Mexico in 2007 with the former Champ Car World Series – Sebastien Bourdais winning the race and celebrating his fourth consecutive CCWS title in what would prove to be the series’ final season. NASCAR also raced at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez in the 2000s and will return in 2025 with its premier Cup series.

After a long absence, F1 has been the marquee series at the revised circuit since 2015 and brings one of the series’ biggest audiences on the calendar. F1 has one more race on its contract with the promoter before a new deal to continue in 2026 and beyond will be required. Whether these negotiations to continue with F1 would interfere with courting and welcoming another significant open-wheel series to IndyCar is unclear.