Argentine government seeks Formula One return after 18-year absence
Argentina’s new administration is actively pursuing a Formula One Grand Prix, aiming to bring the championship back for the first time since 1998.
Argentina’s government has confirmed it is seeking to bring Formula One back to the country, ending an absence that stretches back to the 1998 Buenos Aires Grand Prix. The push comes as part of a wider state strategy to attract major international sporting events and raise the country’s profile.
Tourism minister Gustavo Santos made the government’s intentions clear at a public event, stating that Argentina is actively pursuing both a Formula One Grand Prix and the FIFA World Cup. Santos described these ambitions as challenging and costly, but said they are central to the new administration’s plans to boost the country’s international standing.
The last Formula One race in Argentina was held at the Autódromo Juan y Oscar Gálvez in Buenos Aires, a circuit that had seen diminishing investment by the late 1990s. Since then, the country has been absent from the F1 calendar, with South American representation limited to Brazil. The current government, led by President Mauricio Macri, has instructed its tourism and sporting authorities to pursue high-profile events as a means of economic and reputational development.
Talks with F1 management
Bernie Ecclestone, then CEO of Formula One, confirmed late in the previous season that discussions with Argentine officials were ongoing. While no agreement or timeline has been announced, Ecclestone described the possibility of a return as realistic, provided financial and organisational requirements are met. The government has not specified whether Buenos Aires or another venue is under consideration, nor has it detailed the funding structure for a potential race.
Challenges ahead for a Grand Prix return
Securing a Formula One race typically requires substantial investment in circuit upgrades, event fees and logistical support. Minister Santos acknowledged these difficulties, calling the effort complicated and expensive. The government’s willingness to pursue the project suggests a readiness to negotiate with F1’s commercial rights holders and to consider infrastructure improvements if a deal is reached.
If successful, a revived Argentine Grand Prix would join a handful of other races returning to the calendar after long absences, following a trend seen in countries seeking to leverage motorsport for tourism and international exposure. For now, no date or host circuit has been confirmed, and the project remains at the negotiation stage.
For more on Formula One’s approach to returning races, see Vettel urges Formula One return to Austria for Red Bull home race.
