The rampant rise of Franco Colapinto in Formula 1 has prompted the Argentine government to explore the possibility of hosting a Grand Prix in the future.
Colapinto, a Williams Academy driver, was plucked out of his rookie FIA Formula 2 campaign to replace Logan Sargeant from the Italian GP onwards.
The Argentine performed admirably in his F1 debut, racing from 18th on the grid to 12th at Monza.
Colapinto backed that up by bagging his first F1 points next time out at the Azerbaijan GP and received plaudits from the likes of Sergio Perez en route to 11th in the Singapore GP.
The Argentine’s rise in F1 has brought sponsor interest to Williams and led to a boost in ticket enquiries for the upcoming Sao Paulo GP in neighbouring Brazil.
Such is Argentina’s interest in Colapinto, the country’s Minister for Tourism, Environment and Sport Daniel Scioli told La Agencia de Viajes that he “spoke with President Javier Milei and the secretary-general of the presidency Karina Milei in order to coordinate all efforts so that Argentina can once again host a Formula 1 race.”
What could prevent an Argentine GP?
Argentina last hosted a GP in 1998 at the Autódromo Oscar y Juan Gálvez in Buenos Aries, with Michael Schumacher winning for Ferrari.
That circuit is currently a long way off the FIA Grade 1 Status required of an F1 venue and a significant investment will be required for an Argentine GP to become a reality.
To get the ball rolling, Scioli will head to Sao Paulo in November to meet with F1 representatives to initiate the process of hosting an Argentine GP.
The one other snag that could foil plans is that Colapinto doesn’t have an immediate future set in F1.
Williams has already secured Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz on multi-year deals for 2025 and beyond, meaning Colapinto’s stint is resigned to just a 2024 cameo.
However, Williams, keen to develop its prospect, is open to loaning Colapinto to Sauber/Audi in 2025.
A history of F1 drivers from Argentina
Colapinto is the first F1 driver from Argentina to compete in a GP since Gaston Mazzacane raced with Prost at the 2001 San Marino GP.
The Williams driver’s points in Baku were the first scored in F1 by an Argentine driver since Carlos Reutemann finished second for Williams in the 1982 South African GP.
Reutemann is one of only three Argentines to win an F1 GP, with a tally of 12 victories to his name.
Fellow Argentine José Froilán González had the honour of claiming Ferrari’s first victory in the 1951 British GP at Silverstone, and he would win one more GP in his career.
Undoubtedly the greatest Argentine to race in F1 and perhaps one of the sport’s greatest drivers altogether was Juan Manuel Fangio.
Between 1950 and 1958, Fangio made 51 race starts, winning 24 GPs and five Drivers’ titles for four different manufacturers.
It’s no wonder then that Colapinto’s successful arrival in F1 has rekindled the country’s historic passion for the sport.
