This country’s legions of motor racing fans will be out in strength this weekend when the Formula One circus breezes into Mexico City for the Mexican Grand Prix, the 18th race in the 20-race 2017 calendar.

Mexican fans are renowned for their enthusiasm in a category that has become far too predictable for many auto racing purists in recent years.

More than 135,000 fans packed into the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez circuit to watch the race unfold on the final Sunday last year – more than any other grand prix.

Mexico was an integral part of the Formula One Championship calendar for years and returned to the timetable in 2015, after a 23-year absence.

Guadalajara native Sergio “Checo” Perez will be guaranteed maniacal support from a partisan crowd. The only Mexican driver on the grid competes for the Force India team and currently lies 7th in the drivers’ standings.

Perez has said the race will help lift the gloom following last month’s earthquake that caused many buildings to fall and the deaths of more than 350 people in the capital and its surrounding region.  The Tapatio started a fundraising campaign following the quake that has so far raised more then $US700,000.