Argentina takes first step towards inclusion in Formula 1 calendar

Argentina has taken the first tentative steps towards the Formula 1 Grand Prix returning to Buenos Aires, but there are still several hurdles to overcome to achieve that goal.

The country’s tourism minister, Daniel Scioli, led a delegation including Argentine Automobile Federation President Cesar Carman to hold exploratory talks with F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali.

The Argentine Grand Prix is ​​expected to return to the calendar at the Autodromo Oscar y Juan Galvez, the track that last hosted the race and was originally built in the 1950s.

Scioli’s push comes after 21-year-old Franco Colapinto made the move to Formula 1 with Williams . While his performances on track have prompted immediate interest from Red Bull to sign him to their four-driver roster, Colapinto has attracted a great deal of interest off the track from fans and sponsors in his home country, which has been further fuelled by the championship’s move to the Americas.

While thousands of Argentine fans cheered Colapinto at Interlagos, Scioli and his delegation met with Domenicali to understand what was needed for Buenos Aires’ return to Formula 1.

“I am proud of what Colapinto has created as an Argentinian,” Scioli told Autosport.

“His charisma, his human qualities and his quality as a driver are fantastic. At a time when Formula 1 is growing and expectations are rising, this event goes beyond sport and creates a political and social impact,” he said.

Asked about the meeting with F1, Scioli said: “We are starting to work on the possibility of bringing Formula 1 back to Argentina. Domenicali knows Argentina very well, he has good memories of our country. The meeting was very warm, but a lot of work is needed to organise this event, which has complex logistical requirements.”

Scioli declined to comment on the timeframe, saying “it will depend on the organization” how many years it will take.

But he confirmed to Autosport that the project had to go ahead entirely with private funding, in line with the liberal policies of President Javier Milei.

While F1 is positive about the sudden interest from Argentina, the country faces strong competition for a place on the calendar. With the number of races limited to 24 per year, any candidate country will need to present a compelling bid, both commercially and in terms of long-term sustainability.

F1 continues to aim to expand in Asia, with talks ongoing with Thailand and South Korea, while a rotation system for certain European races is being drawn up to free up space on the calendar from 2026 onwards.

On the other hand, Rwanda, which will host the FIA ​​awards ceremony next month, has emerged as a candidate to realize its long-awaited goal of racing on the African continent.