Argentina Urges F1, WRC to Return to Buenos Aires
NXTbets Pro | Published On: September 2, 2026
Milei pushes F1
Javier Milei used the FIA American Congress in Buenos Aires to press for Formula 1 and the World Rally Championship to return to Argentina. He met FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem in the city and opened the congress with him, then made the country’s case in direct terms. Milei said Argentina has “absolutely everything” needed to host Formula 1 again, pointing to its motorsport tradition, its drivers and its institutional seriousness. He also tied the appeal to Franco Colapinto, saying, “We want to see Colapinto back in the country.” The message went beyond nostalgia. It linked Argentina’s past in world motorsport to a current driver who has already helped renew interest at home. Colapinto became Argentina’s first top-flight Formula 1 driver since 2001 and drew large crowds in Buenos Aires in April, giving the push a visible point of support. Milei’s remarks put the focus on both prestige and practicality, and they framed a return as a national project rather than a one-off request.
Ben Sulayem outlines path
Ben Sulayem responded with a clear timeline and a clear list of requirements. He said Formula 1’s 24-race calendar is controlled by Formula One Management, is full through at least 2028 and has no available space until 2029 at the earliest. That leaves Argentina facing a long wait even if the political will and fan interest keep building. Ben Sulayem said any Argentine bid would need a business plan, investment and a formal process, and he said a long-term business plan would be required before a new race in Argentina could even be considered. He did leave room for optimism. Ben Sulayem said Argentina has the history, fan support and government interest needed to make a return feasible. He said the FIA wanted to build on that history and create new opportunities. That combination of caution and encouragement gave Milei’s pitch a realistic frame. The message from the FIA side was simple, the case is possible, but it needs structure, money and patience before it can move from ambition to action.
Buenos Aires circuit rebuild
The strongest local argument comes from the circuit itself. The Autódromo de Buenos Aires Oscar y Juan Gálvez is undergoing a $150 million renovation that is 60% complete. The work includes a new pit building and a circuit extension designed to accommodate more than 150,000 fans. That upgrade matters because Argentina last hosted a Formula 1 race in 1998, even though it has staged 20 Grands Prix at the Buenos Aires venue over the years. The renovation gives officials a tangible way to show that the city still has the infrastructure case to make. Buenos Aires leader Jorge Macri said Argentina is investing heavily and wants to bring Formula 1 back. The circuit work, the political backing and the renewed interest around Colapinto all sit in the same lane. They do not guarantee a race, but they do show why Argentina is pressing now. The country has a strong motorsport history, a famous venue and a driver drawing attention at home. That mix is the basis for the renewed push, and it is the foundation Argentina is asking Formula 1 to consider again.
