Argentina's President Advocates for Formula 1 Return

Argentina's president Javier Milei recently met with FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem in Buenos Aires to discuss the possibility of bringing Formula 1 back to the country after a nearly 30-year absence.

The last Formula 1 race in Argentina took place in 1998 at the Autodromo Oscar y Juan Galvez, which is currently undergoing renovations to prepare for MotoGP next year. The project, which is 60% complete, includes a new pit building and an extended circuit, increasing its length from 4.3 to 4.87 kilometers, with a total investment of $150 million.

Milei expressed confidence in Argentina's ability to host F1, citing the country's tradition and the popularity of local driver Franco Colapinto. While FIA president Ben Sulayem acknowledged the significant investments being made, he noted that the decision to include Argentina in the F1 calendar depends on a long-term business plan and the current competition for race slots. The FIA's influence on the calendar is limited, as it is primarily managed by the commercial rights holder.