– The Argentinians are eager to finally bring Formula 1 back to their country after almost 30 years. The impressive roadshow in Buenos Aires, where local hero Franco Colapinto raced through the streets with a Lotus E20 from the 2012 season in front of more than half a million fans, probably provided the clearest proof.
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“It is much easier to show with videos or pictures what can actually happen at a race when it takes place in Argentina,” sees the current Alpine driver as a strong signal. “I think it is a great way to show what they can do and how much good Argentina would do for Formula 1. It would be huge.”
“Motorsport is probably the second sport in Argentina after football. So many years have passed without a Formula 1 race and without a Formula 1 driver from Argentina that it is now growing more and more. I think it will be a very special moment when a race actually takes place there.”
“They will all be very surprised how passionate the fans are and what that will trigger,” adds Colapinto. Although a delegation from Buenos Aires actually traveled to Miami to meet with the Formula 1 officials there, the chances of an Argentina Grand Prix are currently very low.
Formula 1 sees no realistic chance for Argentina
The Formula 1 officials themselves confirmed this last weekend. Although there are already talks, some dating back to 2024, these are still in a very early stage – and realistically, a soon Grand Prix in Argentina is currently not likely.
The roadshow in Buenos Aires was internally rated as a complete success with exceptionally passionate fans, yet the calendar of the premier class is already fully booked until 2029. Additionally, countries like Thailand, Rwanda, or Korea are currently competing for possible free slots in the race calendar.
Colapinto himself is not discouraged by this. For him, the event was an important step because the roadshow was “a great foundation” and “a great way to show what a Grand Prix of Argentina could look like,” says the local hero.
“With good organization, like we had on Sunday, it can be possible and it can be very good. It can really be positive to have another South American Grand Prix. And of course, it would be one of my dreams to race in my home country. It would be very special and it is something I always dream about.”
Fans could only hear the car, but not see it
But for now, it will remain a demo drive in his homeland, which also impressed Colapinto: “I think when I was very young, I dreamed of a show like this,” admits the 22-year-old, who speaks of a “very good experience” and a “very unique moment.”
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“I never thought it was possible to gather so many people in one place, to have so much support and to see them so passionate, and to see how much they enjoy it from the balconies and from the streets.”
“You could see the people in front, but then it went back hundreds of meters. They could only hear the roar of the engine, but they could not see the car,” reports the Argentine with gratitude. “They were still there to support and cheer me on.”
Even teammate Pierre Gasly, who followed the roadshow via social networks, was thrilled. It was “pretty wild,” says the Frenchman with a grin on his face. “I think he probably has the biggest community behind him of all drivers in the paddock.”
“It is pretty incredible to see how much support and how much interest comes from Argentina,” admits Gasly. “I like to see that the country, no matter what happens, supports its driver the way they do, so it is pretty fascinating.”
Colapinto hopefully doesn’t make his grandma “deaf”
Now Colapinto was at least able to give back a small part to his fans. “They have been very supportive in the past, and I am glad that I could show them a Formula 1 car and give them a really good show,” says the 22-year-old.
“My family was there, my friends, my grandma,” reveals the Alpine driver. “They never get to see me at a race and as a racing driver. It was also a nice thing for them and for me to do.” The presence of his grandma was particularly emotional for him.
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“I don’t know how it was for her, but I think it was one of the best days of her life. She was really happy,” says Colapinto, who adds with a smile that the volume was not a problem: “Not really, because she is already a bit deaf. I told her: ‘Hopefully I didn’t make you even more deaf afterwards.'”
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