Milei makes pitch for F1 return
President Javier Milei said Monday he wants Formula 1 to return to Argentina as he delivered a speech at the FIA (Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile) American Congress taking place in Buenos Aires. Milei highlighted the local passion sparked by motorsport's top category, which saw "packed grandstands" at the last F1 Grand Prix held in Argentina, 28 years ago.
"Argentina is a country of car lovers ... We have the tradition, we have the drivers, and now we are regaining the institutional credibility that these categories demand before selecting a country," Milei said.
"We want to see [Franco] Colapinto in the country," said the President, referencing the 23-year-old Argentine who drives for French team Alpine. Colapinto's arrival in the top tier has reignited the interest of a local fan base with a long-standing tradition in motorsport, and last April a street demonstration in Buenos Aires featuring an Alpine Lotus E20 brought together around 500,000 people, according to the organisers.
Argentina is shaped by the legacy of legendary drivers Juan Manuel Fangio – a five-time F1 world champion – and Carlos Reutemann.
FIA president backs initiative
FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem said he would support efforts for Argentina to return to the Formula One calendar and world rally championship. Speaking to news network A24 after meeting Milei at the American Congress, which ends on Wednesday, the Emirati said Argentina had both history and a track record.
"I will support the initiative to have an F1 race or the world rally championship here in Argentina," he added. "We need to develop places where races can be held sustainably, where there is the willingness, the investment, the fans and the support from the government to make it happen."
He also cautioned that a return would not be automatic: "Now, beyond the emotional aspect, there is also the rational side when it comes to the F1 calendar. Does Argentina deserve it? It does, but there is a process to go through, there is a business plan and there is a limited number of slots. If Argentina comes in, someone else has to leave."
Context and infrastructure
Argentina has Franco Colapinto, with Renault-owned Alpine, as its sole current F1 driver. The country last hosted a Formula One race in 1998, while Rally Argentina last took place as part of the world championship in 2019.
The capital’s racetrack, the Oscar y Juan Gálvez circuit, hosted some 20 Formula 1 Grands Prix between 1953 and 1998. The site is currently undergoing refurbishment under a renovation plan projected to conclude next February. The works entail an estimated investment of around US$100 million to boost spectator capacity to 150,000 people, along with a redesign of the track, pit garages, access routes, and safety features. The project includes a 4,900-metre track with 15 corners for potential Formula 1 races, and a 4,300-metre track with 14 corners for prospective MotoGP events.
Formula 1 currently has just two stops on its calendar in Latin America: Mexico City and São Paulo. The calendar is currently at 24 rounds, although this year's is set to be less due to conflict in the Middle East, and Formula One chief Stefano Domenicali has said it will not go beyond that. Brazil hosts South America's only F1 race, at Sao Paulo's Interlagos circuit, but Milei said last month that he would push to bring the sport back to Argentina. Formula One is also looking at having a race in Africa.