Mohammed Ben Sulayem has shown support for the return of Argentina to the calendar: the president of the FIA believes that the country has all the necessary arguments to regain F1.
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MBS warns that a major obstacle remains: the calendar is already saturated and the arrival of a new Grand Prix would require the departure of an existing event.
Argentine ambitions have recently been reaffirmed by President Javier Milei (photo above). He believes that his country now has “all the conditions” necessary to host Formula 1 again and especially wants to allow Franco Colapinto to compete in a Grand Prix in front of his home crowd.
A country with a true history in F1
Present in Buenos Aires for the FIA American Congress, Mohammed Ben Sulayem openly expressed his support for the project: “I will support the initiative to organize a Formula 1 race or the World Rally Championship here, in Argentina,” says the FIA president. “Does Argentina deserve to be part of the F1 calendar? The answer is yes.”
For Ben Sulayem, several factors play in favor of the Argentine bid. The country has a significant tradition in motorsport, a base of passionate supporters and, according to him, an economic situation now more favorable to organizing an event of such magnitude.
“They have a history, they have a heritage,” he continues. “There is a love for motorsport and the economic situation is good. Argentina is better off today. So it is achievable.”
Argentina hosted its last Formula 1 Grand Prix in 1998. The Buenos Aires circuit is currently undergoing major work with the stated goal of being able to host the premier category again.
Finding a place on the calendar
Milei also took advantage of the presence of the FIA president in the capital to personally defend the project to him: “If Argentina gets in, someone will have to leave.”
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Despite his enthusiasm, Ben Sulayem tempered expectations regarding a quick return to the calendar. Beyond the sporting and popular interest of the project, Argentina still has several steps to overcome and above all find its place in an F1 calendar where available slots are extremely limited.
“Beyond the emotional aspect, there is also the rational side when talking about the F1 calendar,” he reminds. “Does Argentina deserve to be there? Yes, but there is a process to follow, a business plan to implement and a limited number of places. If Argentina gets in, someone will have to leave.”
FIA support therefore does not yet mean that the return of the Argentine Grand Prix is guaranteed. The project will notably have to convince Formula 1 to grant it one of the precious available slots on the calendar.
Ben Sulayem praises Colapinto
The renewed interest in F1 in Argentina is also driven by the presence of Franco Colapinto. The Argentine driver has just seen his contract with Alpine extended by Flavio Briatore, strengthening the prospect of seeing him remain on the grid long-term.
Ben Sulayem was particularly praiseful of him: “He is a fantastic driver,” he says. “Colapinto is here to stay. He represents Argentina in the best possible way, with respect and with his sporting qualities.”
Argentina therefore now has significant support with that of the FIA president, while the works in Buenos Aires and Colapinto’s presence strengthen its bid. But in an already extremely busy calendar, the real challenge will be to convince F1 to sacrifice an existing Grand Prix to allow the country’s return.
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