Argentina wants to host a Formula 1 race again and a track is being rebuilt for this purpose – a delegation wants to show the progress in Miami
Argentina has been waiting for a Formula 1 Grand Prix since 1998 – but things are now moving behind the scenes. A delegation from Buenos Aires will travel to the Miami Grand Prix to meet with Formula 1 officials. The aim is to present the progress made at the Autodromo Oscar y Juan Galvez and ensure that the country is ready should a gap open up in the calendar for the 2027 season.
The historic circuit is currently undergoing extensive modernization in order to host the MotoGP as early as the beginning of 2027. At the same time, efforts are underway to push ahead with negotiations with Liberty Media about a Formula 1 comeback.
To this end, a delegation from the city government of Buenos Aires will hold talks with the Formula 1 rights holders in Miami together with the local promoter Grupo OSD. Argentina wants to show what has been achieved since the first meeting a year ago.
“No more ambition, but reality”
“We are meeting all the requirements that have been set for us – right down the line: from the formal aspects to the technical and operational side,” explained Fabian Turnes, Sports Secretary of Buenos Aires, to our English sister site Motorsport.com. The group is working closely with Hermann Tilke’s advisory group 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 the steps we committed to. We now have something tangible to show for it: The line is under construction. This is no longer just a pipe dream – quite the opposite.”
Two-stage plan: MotoGP layout vs. Formula 1 expansion
The conversion of the Autodrom is divided into two phases: The first phase is tailored to MotoGP (4.3 kilometers), while the second phase envisages an expansion to almost five kilometers to meet Formula 1 requirements.
Currently, however, it is being examined whether this expansion can be brought forward in order 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 global 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.“
Turnes assumes that we will know more towards the end of the year, for example around the Qatar Grand Prix: ”If the situation continues, a slot could become available in 2027 if dates are canceled due to the conflict. “
Therefore, the decision is imminent as to whether the Formula 1 extension (the ‘big’ hairpin turn) 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 hit the ground running with something concrete – namely that the track will be completely finished.”
Realistic goal remains 2028
Despite the theoretical chance of 2027, 2028 remains the more solid target. “It’s difficult to set a date. We would like to have a clear time frame, that’s important. Personally, I think 2027 is more difficult if the overall situation doesn’t change. But 2028 doesn’t feel that far away – it’s actually very close,” said the sports secretary.
The FIA homologation for Grade 1 status has already been applied for, and only a minimal modification is currently being worked on to finalize this.
The “Colapinto factor” as an accelerator
A decisive factor in the return of the premier class to Argentina is Franco Colapinto. Since his debut at Williams in August 2024 and his subsequent move to Alpine, the young Argentinian has generated huge hype in his home country.
In the coming weeks, Colapinto is set to step on the gas in a Formula 1 car during a show run on the streets of Buenos Aires. The expected rush of fans should serve as the final argument for the Formula 1 bosses.
“Franco’s visit was planned from the start. The fact that there is now a break in the calendar allows us to hold the show run before Miami. Strategically, this plays into our hands,” concludes Turnes. “The decision to build the extension 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.”