(Motorsport-Total.com) – Argentina has been waiting for a Formula 1 Grand Prix since 1998 – but behind the scenes, things are now moving. A delegation from Buenos Aires will travel to the Miami Grand Prix to meet with Formula 1 officials there. The goal is to present the progress at the Autodromo Oscar y Juan Galvez and ensure that the country is ready should a gap in the calendar open up for the 2027 season.
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The historic race track is currently undergoing extensive modernization to host MotoGP as early as the beginning of 2027. At the same time, efforts are underway to advance negotiations with Liberty Media regarding a Formula 1 comeback.
To this end, a delegation from the Buenos Aires city government, together with local promoter Grupo OSD, will hold talks with Formula 1 rights holders in Miami. Argentina wants to show what has been achieved since the first meeting a year ago.
“No longer an ambition, but reality”
“We are meeting all the requirements that have been set for us – across the board: from formal aspects to the technical and operational side,” explains Fabian Turnes, Sports Secretary of Buenos Aires, to our English sister site Motorsport.com. The group is working closely with the consultant group of Hermann Tilke recommended by Formula 1 management.
“Our first meeting took place a year ago in Miami. Since then, there has been significant progress. It is important that we have delivered on the steps we committed to. We can now show something tangible: the track is under construction. This is no longer just a pipe dream – quite the opposite.”
Two-stage plan: MotoGP layout vs. Formula 1 expansion
The reconstruction of the autodromo is divided into two phases: the first phase is tailored to MotoGP (4.3 kilometers), while the second phase provides for an expansion to almost five kilometers to meet Formula 1 requirements.
However, it is currently being examined whether this expansion can be brought forward in time to signal to Liberty Media how serious Buenos Aires is about its medium-term ambitions.
“We know that several contracts in the current calendar are expiring. There is already a certain rotation of venues. And then there is the global context, which could potentially open a window,” says Turnes.
Is world politics playing into Argentina’s hands?
With this, Turnes is alluding to the conflict in the Middle East, which has already led to the cancellation of the April races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. “It would of course be unfortunate if such a window were to open for this reason. But in this scenario, it could ultimately offer an opportunity.”
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Turnes assumes that more will be known towards the end of the year, around the Qatar Grand Prix: “If the situation continues, a spot could become available in 2027 if dates are dropped due to the conflict.”
Therefore, the decision is imminent as to whether the Formula 1 expansion (the “big” hairpin) will be built immediately: “We will decide in the coming days before Miami whether we will bring this forward to phase one, so that we can arrive there with something concrete – namely, that the track will be completely finished.”
Realistic goal remains 2028
Despite the theoretical chance for 2027, 2028 remains the more solid goal. “It is difficult to set a date. We would like to have a clear window, that is important. Personally, I think 2027 is more difficult if the overall situation does not change. But 2028 doesn’t feel that far away – actually, it’s already very close,” says the Sports Secretary.
The contract terms of current Formula 1 tracks
FIA homologation for Grade 1 status has already been applied for; currently, only a minimal modification is being worked on to finalize it.
The “Colapinto factor” as an accelerator
A decisive factor for the return of the premier class to Argentina is Franco Colapinto. Since his debut in August 2024 with Williams and his subsequent move to Alpine, the young Argentine has triggered a massive hype in his home country.
In the coming weeks, Colapinto is set to drive a Formula 1 car during a show run in the streets of Buenos Aires. The expected fan rush is intended to serve as the final argument for the Formula 1 bosses.
“Franco’s visit was planned from the beginning. The fact that the calendar now allows for a break enables us to conduct the show run before Miami. Strategically, this plays into our hands,” Turnes concludes. “The decision on the construction of the expansion together with the Franco hype – these are further pieces of the puzzle. The image we want to convey is clear: Argentina’s passion for Formula 1.”
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