Formula 1 may be increasingly close to returning to Argentina, and Franco Colapinto believes the country is ready to host one of the biggest events on the calendar. The driver stated that a potential race in Buenos Aires could have the potential to break attendance records thanks to the passion of local fans.
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Out of the category since 1998, Argentina hosted F1 on twenty occasions between 1953 and 1998. Now, modernization works at the Autódromo Oscar y Juan Gálvez rekindle hopes of a return, initially driven by preparations for the MotoGP’s return to the circuit next season.
Colapinto revealed that he recently visited the racetrack and followed the renovation plans. According to him, the track transformation is progressing rapidly.
“When I was in Argentina, I visited the track and saw the plan of what they are going to do. They are rebuilding everything, completely remaking the circuit. Everything is practically leveled now,” said the Alpine driver.
The Argentine competitor highlighted the historical importance of the venue for the country’s motorsport and believes that the fans’ enthusiasm would be a differentiator: “The fans are incredible, very passionate, extremely passionate, and I think it would be a very strong race for F1 at some point, probably with some attendance records,” he said.
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For Colapinto, the support of Argentines would be something unprecedented in the sport: “The way fans support drivers and teams would be something we have never seen before. It would be amazing if F1 managed to do that. I hope it happens,” he added.
Despite the optimism, the Argentine acknowledged that there are still several factors involved for the return to materialize. He also recalled that the category faces competition from other countries interested in joining the F1 calendar in the coming years.
Even so, Colapinto sees a significant growth in interest in Formula 1 in his country: “It wouldn’t make sense if there wasn’t interest. F1 is growing enormously in Argentina. It is probably already the second sport in the country, behind only football, although that is hard to surpass. It is growing more and more, and I think it would be an incredible race,” he concluded.
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