Argentine President Javier Milei has formally appealed to the International Automobile Federation (FIA) for Formula 1 to return to Argentina after nearly three decades. The appeal was made during the FIA American Congress, which concluded on September 2, 2026, in Buenos Aires. Milei highlighted Argentina’s motorsport tradition, its drivers, and the country’s renewed institutional seriousness as key factors for hosting major championships again.
FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem met with President Milei ahead of the Congress, discussing the potential return of both Formula 1 and the World Rally Championship to the South American nation. Ben Sulayem expressed support for the initiative, acknowledging Argentina’s rich history in motorsport.
A significant element in Argentina’s bid is the presence of Franco Colapinto in Formula 1. Colapinto, who made his F1 debut with Williams in the latter part of the 2024 season, is currently racing for Alpine in 2026. His arrival in the sport has reignited national interest, drawing a crowd of nearly half a million people to an exhibition race in Buenos Aires in April.
The Autódromo Óscar y Juan Gálvez in Buenos Aires is undergoing extensive renovations, with a reported investment of $150 million. City officials confirmed the project includes a new track and grandstands, aiming to accommodate MotoGP in 2027. The circuit’s modernization is approximately 60% complete, with the demolition of the historic Horquilla grandstand allowing for track extension and a new hairpin.
To host Formula 1, the circuit must achieve an FIA Grade 1 license, which demands stringent safety, infrastructure, and facility standards beyond those required for MotoGP. This includes specific track width, run-off areas, medical centres, and pit lane facilities. Building or upgrading a circuit to Grade 1 standards can cost hundreds of millions of dollars, with some modern F1 tracks exceeding $1 billion in total investment.
While the FIA has expressed institutional support, Ben Sulayem emphasized that securing a Formula 1 slot involves a rational process, a business plan, and navigating a congested calendar. The 2026 F1 season features 24 Grands Prix, and new entries face significant competition from other interested nations. Formula 1’s commercial rights holder, Liberty Media, requires substantial hosting fees, typically ranging from $15 million to $50 million annually.
Argentina last hosted a Formula 1 Grand Prix in 1998 at the Autódromo Óscar y Juan Gálvez, with Michael Schumacher winning for Ferrari. The country has a storied F1 history, having delivered five-time world champion Juan Manuel Fangio and hosting races intermittently between 1953 and 1998. The current renovations and political backing mark the most concrete ambitions for an F1 return in decades.
However, FIA President Ben Sulayem has indicated that a 2027 return for an Argentine Grand Prix would be premature. He suggested that 2029 or 2030 are more realistic targets, given the existing calendar commitments and the extensive process required for a new race. The 2027 F1 calendar is expected to be announced later this autumn, with contingency plans already in place due to global events.
