Michael Schumacher celebrates winning the 1998 Argentine Grand Prix with a fist pump — Photo: © IMAGO

Formula 1

F1 getting closer to returning to classic South American racing city

Buenos Aires last hosted an F1 race in 1998

Kevin McKenna

Wednesday 23 July 2025 19:00

The mayor of a South American city has revealed that a classic F1 location is getting closer to returning to the series.

Buenos Aires in Argentina hosted races on and off for 45 years up until 1998, and the city is making a serious push to get back onto the crowded schedule.

The Termas de Rio Hondo circuit in Santiago has been a permanent fixture on the MotoGP schedule since 2014, but this year's event will be the final race at the ahead of the switch to the Autodromo de Buenos Aires Oscar y Juan Gálvez in 2027.

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The venue is poised to undergo huge renovations as well as a track layout update which will allow for a capacity of around 150,000 spectators to attend, and Mayor Jorge Macri has claimed that this move could be a step in the right direction towards F1 returning to the city.

“We’re going to be among the world’s leading circuits, like Barcelona and Silverstone," he said, as reported by the Buenos Aires Herald.

"But we’re not content with that, as we’re challenging ourselves to go further: it’s the first step toward applying again to host Formula 1 - this return confirms that we’re on the right path.”

Can F1 accommodate another grand prix?

On the planned improvements to the venue, he added: “Starting in October, we will be undertaking a complete overhaul of the racetrack, including the track, paddock, pits, safety zones, and the incorporation of the latest technology.

"With this investment in infrastructure, security, logistics, and connectivity, we are positioning the Gálvez at the level of major racing venues, bringing it up to international standards."

The 24-race F1 calendar is already at full capacity, meaning the addition of any new track would force another to be dropped.

Next season, the Spanish GP will be held in Madrid for the first time, with the Emilia-Romagna GP at Imola being cut from the schedule.

Argentina is not the only country targeting a spot on the schedule, with Thailand and South Africa also investing big money in an effort to muscle their way in.

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