Lost F1 race closes in on return to calendar after 26 years as sponsor says ‘all the stars are aligning’

FORMULA ONE could be set to make a return to an old stomping ground after almost THREE DECADES absent.

It comes after F1 chief Stefano Domenicali hinted that the introduction of 21-year-old Franco Colapinto could trigger the return of a race in his homeland, Argentina.

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Franco Colapinto’s rise in F1 has seen a spike in interest from Argentina[/caption]

Rex

Stefano Domenicali hinted at the possibility at a recent event[/caption]

AP:Associated Press

Michael Schumacher won the last Argentina Grand Prix in 1998[/caption]

AP:Associated Press

Schumacher, right, celebrated a double podium with Ferraro’s Eddie Irvine, left[/caption]

Colapinto replaced Logan Sargeant at Williams during September’s Italian Grand Prix.

And since then he has defied the odds by scoring points in two of the next three races – Azerbaijan (P8), Singapore (P11), United States (P10).

This dramatic entrance to the sport has led to calls for him to be handed one of the two remaining seats for the 2025 F1 season.

And it has also led to a sharp rise in interest in F1 from his nation, while the motorsport also penned a commercial deal with Argentine digital service provider Globant.

Not only has interest grown since Colapinto’s introduction to the sport, but there is now a desire to bring F1 back to the country.

Speaking at an event celebrating the Globant deal, Domenicali said: “I was there the last time that everyone was in Buenos Aires to race, it is a sign of not being a great age, but that’s life.

“I really hope that all this, all you are doing for your country and also what Franco is doing.

“It is great for your country and hopefully it will give your country, once again.

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“Hopefully sooner rather than later the possibility for South America to host not only Mexico – in Central America – Sao Paulo in Brazil… why not?

“We are a worldwide championship but as always in life, in whatever marriage, you need to be two – so we are ready to see if someone is ready but let’s wait and look forward in case.”

The last F1 race in the country was held in Buenos Aires at the Autódromo Oscar y Juan Gálvez in 1998.

Globant CEO Martin Migoya added: “All the stars are kind of getting aligned, right? Because we closed the partnership with Formula 1 and then Franco got upgraded into Formula 1 and for us that is extremely important.

“Those things happening with a lot of effort, with a lot of humbleness, with a lot of work and that at some point yields beautiful results.

“I think our partnership here, together with our support of Williams and Franco, is extremely important for our country, for our region and I think it will be beautiful to see how the things move forward.”

 Complete F1 2024 race calendar – details on every Grand Prix and start time this year

Michael Schumacher won the race in the country ahead of Mika Hakkinen and Ferrari team-mate Eddie Irvine in second and third respectively.

Local F1 icon and hero Juan Manuel Fangio, a four-time world champion, won a record four races in the country.

Brazil‘s Emerson Fittipaldi and Great Britain’s Damon Hill are the only other drivers with more than one win in the nation with two each.

A race had been scheduled for 1999, but the race was cancelled with organisers struggling for funds.

Talks had taken place regarding its return in 2012, but an expected deal fell apart after ex-F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone said: “We are open to racing in Argentina when I can deal with serious people.”

Madrid will be a new F1 track in the 2025 season.

Other proposals for a new host country have seen South Africa – who last hosted a race in 1993 – heavily suggested.

A 2024 slot was originally in mind, but this was abandoned.

The Las Vegas Grand Prix is the most recent introduction to the race calendar, having made its debut last season.