‘It’s nonsense’ IndyCar CEO explains controversial theory of F1 interference in Mexico race talks that has sparked controversy from drivers

In a pointed dismissal that has only fueled the ongoing debate within the motorsport world, IndyCar CEO Mark Miles has labeled suggestions of Formula 1 interference in stalled negotiations for a Mexico City race as utter nonsense. Speaking candidly during a recent media briefing, Miles pushed back against a burgeoning theory that F1’s parent company, Liberty Media, might have subtly undermined IndyCar’s efforts to secure a slot on the iconic Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez circuit. The remarks come at a tense moment for the series, as it grapples with missed opportunities for international expansion amid scheduling headaches and promoter demands.

The controversy traces back to last summer, when IndyCar entered advanced discussions to bring the NTT IndyCar Series back to Mexico for the 2026 season—the first time since a brief, ill-fated stint in 2006 that drew underwhelming crowds. Mexico holds immense potential for the series, home to fan-favorite driver Pato O’Ward of Arrow McLaren, whose star power could ignite local passion. Yet, those talks crumbled, leaving fans and insiders scratching their heads. Enter the conspiracy theory: with NASCAR swiftly announcing its own 2025 race at the same venue, whispers emerged that F1, which has long enjoyed a stronghold at the track since returning in 2015, might have pulled strings to keep the oval-heavy American series at bay.

At the heart of the speculation is Liberty Media’s sprawling empire. The company, which owns F1, also controls Live Nation Entertainment, a global promoter that recently boosted its stake in OCESA, the Mexican entity overseeing events at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez. OCESA’s ownership shift—from a 51% Live Nation holding to around 75%—coincided with escalating demands in the IndyCar negotiations. What began as a modest sanctioning fee request of $1 million to $1.5 million reportedly ballooned to double that, coupled with a slice of ticket revenue. Critics pointed to this as evidence of coordinated sabotage, arguing that Liberty wouldn’t want another high-profile series diluting F1’s premium allure in a market where the Mexican Grand Prix routinely sells out.

Miles, however, isn’t buying it. “I’ve read that theory, it’s rubbish,” he stated firmly, emphasizing direct dealings with track management and promoters who, in his view, remain enthusiastic about IndyCar. He highlighted Live Nation’s pre-existing majority interest in OCESA and insisted the increased stake hadn’t altered their supportive stance. “They’re supporters of having the event there,” Miles added. “And we’re dealing directly with the management of the track and the promoter arm of the track, and they’re big IndyCar fans.” Instead, the CEO pinned the deal’s collapse squarely on logistical nightmares tied to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which Mexico is co-hosting with the United States and Canada. The global soccer spectacle will dominate North American sports calendars that summer, clashing with IndyCar’s preferred April-May window and inflating costs for security, hospitality, and infrastructure.

This explanation hasn’t quelled the firestorm, particularly among drivers who see the Mexico snub as symptomatic of broader strategic missteps. Pato O’Ward, the outspoken Mexican ace and 2021 Indy 500 runner-up, has been the most vocal critic. Last August, after NASCAR’s announcement, O’Ward didn’t mince words, accusing IndyCar leadership of ignoring his outreach to local stakeholders. “I offered my help, and it was like talking to a wall,” he vented in a post-race interview, expressing frustration that the series undervalued his cultural cachet. O’Ward’s pleas for a radical schedule tweak—to slot Mexico earlier or later—fell on deaf ears, and his recent social media post following the 2026 calendar reveal was telling: a simple Mexican flag emoji paired with “Missed opportunity,” amassing thousands of likes from disheartened supporters.

The driver’s ire extends beyond mere disappointment; it touches on IndyCar’s identity crisis in a landscape dominated by F1’s glamour and NASCAR’s grassroots grip. O’Ward has long advocated for bolder moves to rival F1’s global footprint, once suggesting the series could challenge the British outfit by leaning into its technical innovation and diverse talent pool. His frustration boiled over further when he snagged a practice lap in an F1 car at his home track last September, a consolation prize that felt like salt in the wound after slamming IndyCar’s “horrendous” handling of the Mexico bid. Other drivers have echoed these sentiments in subtler tones. Scott Dixon, the veteran Chip Ganassi Racing star, quipped during a team debrief that “timing is everything, but sometimes it feels like we’re always late to the party.” Meanwhile, young gun Felix Rosenqvist of Meyer Shank Racing tweeted support for O’Ward, calling the F1 interference chatter “intriguing” and urging transparency from Penske Entertainment, IndyCar’s parent company.

Miles’ rebuttal arrives as the series unveils a 2026 slate that’s ambitious yet domestically focused: new ovals at Arlington and Phoenix Raceway replace the road course at Thermal Club, signaling a pivot toward core U.S. markets. “For more than a year, we have been working diligently to bring the NTT INDYCAR SERIES to Mexico City’s Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez,” Miles reflected in an official statement. “While extensive progress was made… ultimately the significant impact of next year’s World Cup proved too challenging.” He teased optimism for 2027, when World Cup echoes will have faded, and hinted at Miles’ upcoming visit to Mexico next month to nurture ties.

Yet, the damage to morale lingers. Drivers like O’Ward view the episode as emblematic of IndyCar’s hesitancy to seize international momentum, especially with F1’s Mexico GP drawing over 400,000 spectators annually. “We could’ve owned that market,” O’Ward lamented in a recent podcast, tying the F1 theory to fears of corporate gatekeeping. As NASCAR revs up for its Mexico debut—potentially siphoning IndyCar’s latent fanbase—the series faces a reckoning. Will Miles’ assurances restore faith, or will the “nonsense” label only amplify drivers’ calls for accountability? In a sport where speed off the track matters as much as on it, IndyCar’s next laps in Mexico remain a high-stakes unfinished business.