Formula 1 to Argentina in 2010?

Bernie Ecclestone and Argentina's Cabinet chief Sergio Massa have confirmed that there are negotiations to bring Formula 1 back to Argentina in 2010. Of course -and regretfully- it won't be in Potrero de los Funes -the only circuit in the country that has currently the infraestructure to host an F1 event- and neither in Buenos Aires. Both, the province of San Luis and the City of BsAs are governed by the opposition and the project is backed up by the National government. The place would be Mar del Plata -a neuralgic touristic point in Argentina, but which is not internationally known as let's say Baires or Patagonia or Iguazú, but that the current administration has tried to promote as an internationally touristic point since the stronger back up to the international film festival, the Americas meeting a couple of years ago and the Davis Cup final match last year. Hermann Tilke has already visit the place. It would be a street circuit, thou, as Tilke is involved I don't know if they will take in account the previuos project of building a street circuit there with the design of former Turismo Carretera champion Lalo Ramos. Your thoughts?

Interesting, I wonder if this is to replace the "probably not going to make it" Donington?

Or who else would get dropped from next year's schedule?

Interesting, I wonder if this is to replace the "probably not going to make it" Donington?

Or who else would get dropped from next year's schedule?

I've read that the Turkey GP is in danger...

I've read that the Turkey GP is in danger...

Hard to believe, as isn't Bernie the promoter?

I read that as Brazil is in danger

That could explain a lot, if Brazil is going down the tubes then it would make sense to move "next door" and keep a race in S. America.

Hard to believe, as isn't Bernie the promoter?

True, but they have had financial difficulties, thou you never know... how many time we have heard that Silverstone was in danger!

The Critica guys made it again...

Brazil in danger, no way. Our contract was renewed recently... let me find a link.

edit: contract renwed, Interlagos safe until 2014.
http://imprensa.sptu...f1_contrato.pdf

Edited by Atreiu, 22 May 2009 - 17:58.

Froilán Gonzales and Governor Rodriguez Saa have meetings with Ecclestone:
(For a race in Potrero de Los Funes, San Luis)

prestigious Spanish web confirm that:
http://www.thef1.com...gp-en-argentina

Don't forget!!:
http://www.eldiariod...x...42&Itemid=1

International Racetrack "Potrero de Los Funes", in San Luis



“The racetrack is one of the most amazing I've ever seen," said Thomas Biaggi
"The widest for sure! That's the reason why it will be difficult to get used to it. Tracking the perfect line, finding out the best path, it's so hard: one can get lost . It is so similar to Singapore bounded by cement barriers. This implies that, sitting at a very low level, the drivers do not see what happens out of the bends so we must rely on the promptness of marshals. The average speed will be so high, like in Monza. On the basis of our simulations, there are at least three 200 km/h bends and so many straights of over 260 km/h. You'll see! There are even ramps (here the engine will count so much) and descents like in Mugello or Spa. It reminds me even of Pergusa, the racetrack in Sicily I like so much, because it is built around a lake. I pass the racetrack with full marks and I congratulate the Argentinian organizers for the huge work they have done."

"It's like a second Nordschleife," said Fabrizio Gollin
Fantastic Circuit !....The drivers are beginning to arrive at the Potrero de los Funes circuit in San Luis, Argentina, and all seem amazed by the incredible track they are discovering. Built in just nine months, the track circumnavigates a lake, going up and down with a variety of corners and chicanes. "It's like a second Nordschleife," Championship contender Fabrizio Gollin commented. "One of the most beautiful circuits in the world ! I think the average speed will be very high, and with a track like this we should not notice the penalty weight too much."

http://www.fiagt.com/


Saludos

I hope you are right Repco. It's stupid to spend 50 or 60 million dollars (or euros?) in building a new street circuit when you already have one in conditions to host F1 (Potrero's infraestructure is more modern and better that Monza or Silverstone). But the National goverment will never take the race there so the only hope is that the San Luis government reaches and agreement with Ecclestone...

Repco i've seen some footages of races held at this circuit the other day and holy, i was stunned!!! would definitely be great for F1.

The circuit looks excellent, so many fast flowing bends combined with a few slow corners + it's width = overtaking opportunities!

Bring it on!

The multilple F1 champion ALAIN PROST said:
"Argentina is the ideal country for the F1, they deserved it"..,

http://www.vanguardi...gentina_/353535

Thanks Alain..!

Edited by Repco von Brabham, 25 May 2009 - 22:28.

Froilán Gonzales and Governor Rodriguez Saa have meetings with Ecclestone:
(For a race in Potrero de Los Funes, San Luis)

prestigious Spanish web confirm that:
http://www.thef1.com...gp-en-argentina

Don't forget!!:
http://www.eldiariod...x...42&Itemid=1

International Racetrack "Potrero de Los Funes", in San Luis



“The racetrack is one of the most amazing I've ever seen," said Thomas Biaggi
"The widest for sure! That's the reason why it will be difficult to get used to it. Tracking the perfect line, finding out the best path, it's so hard: one can get lost . It is so similar to Singapore bounded by cement barriers. This implies that, sitting at a very low level, the drivers do not see what happens out of the bends so we must rely on the promptness of marshals. The average speed will be so high, like in Monza. On the basis of our simulations, there are at least three 200 km/h bends and so many straights of over 260 km/h. You'll see! There are even ramps (here the engine will count so much) and descents like in Mugello or Spa. It reminds me even of Pergusa, the racetrack in Sicily I like so much, because it is built around a lake. I pass the racetrack with full marks and I congratulate the Argentinian organizers for the huge work they have done."

"It's like a second Nordschleife," said Fabrizio Gollin
Fantastic Circuit !....The drivers are beginning to arrive at the Potrero de los Funes circuit in San Luis, Argentina, and all seem amazed by the incredible track they are discovering. Built in just nine months, the track circumnavigates a lake, going up and down with a variety of corners and chicanes. "It's like a second Nordschleife," Championship contender Fabrizio Gollin commented. "One of the most beautiful circuits in the world ! I think the average speed will be very high, and with a track like this we should not notice the penalty weight too much."

http://www.fiagt.com/


Saludos

That looks amazing!

We should all keep up to date with this place.

This is what F1 needs.

It's like someone made a computer game....real. It's a stunning venue.

That track is awesome, but would F1 consider if safe enough?

I read an Autosport piece on the track which said it has next-to-no runoff, very high speeds and very hard walls.

Also, the same piece said the track was really isolated. Sounded like Aida and Autopolis (remember that?) which were both very scenic but also in the middle of nowhere.

My other immediate concern would be that the circuit looks really narrow, and wouldn't promote overtaking. Like Valencia doens't.

That said, I'd love to see an F1 race there, as the track is so different to anything else on the calender.

I also think South America deserves two F1 races having produced so much of the sport's talent over the years.

Looks good!

Enrique,

Do you think the 'K' dinasty will allow the race to be held at a 'provincia' in hands of the opposition?
I don't think so. That's why they are talking about a street circuit in Mar del Plata.....

I read that as Brazil is in danger

WHAT? What is their game plan, get rid of the tracks that produce best races?

I think its GREAT that Argentina might get F1 again.

But, heck, leave Interlagos alone!

That is an awesome track. Harks back to the older days of F1, and 180 degrees away from Tilke's "made for TV" tracks.

The race up for debate is Montreal. It's back on the schedule, but this November race will kill it for good. On a happy note: we will finally see high performance snow tires in F1.

That track is awesome, but would F1 consider if safe enough?

I read an Autosport piece on the track which said it has next-to-no runoff, very high speeds and very hard walls.

Are the wall in Valencia or Singapore less hard? Or what about the wall in Indy?!
Also Monaco, Valencia and Singapore have pretty much no runoff areas.

Potrero de Los Funes looks absolutely beautiful! I really hope they go there, even if it's only as a one off to trial the circuit and the surroundings!

But the National goverment will never take the race there so the only hope is that the San Luis government reaches and agreement with Ecclestone...

Is there any chance you could provide some background to this (or a link to some information)? Is the situation such that we should give up any hope of seeing F1 at Potrero?

My other immediate concern would be that the circuit looks really narrow, and wouldn't promote overtaking. Like Valencia doens't.

That's my biggest concern. And Valencia has far more obvious passing spots.

Regardless, Potrero de los Funes is spectacular and in an ideal world would make it to the calendar. However notice that these news say specifically that they're looking at racing in a new track, not Potrero.

That circuit was used for FIA GT last year but already cancelled for next october.Main event now TC2000.Hope Mar del Plata can improve on circuit last used in 1967 I think for F3 Temporada.Spectator safety zero-people served as crash barriers
Bit baffled by coments regarding Montreal race-has anyone seen an offical calendar for 2010 F1 yet?

That circuit was used for FIA GT last year but already cancelled for next october.Main event now TC2000.Hope Mar del Plata can improve on circuit last used in 1967 I think for F3 Temporada.Spectator safety zero-people served as crash barriers
Bit baffled by coments regarding Montreal race-has anyone seen an offical calendar for 2010 F1 yet?

Shhhh... silenzio "Rob29"..!!., Is not the same circuit.,

In fact these circuit don't exist anymore at less 35 years ago!!!!

Mister Tilke are rigth now in Mar del Plata, looking for a total new design for the new F1 track., this notice became from Bernie Ecclestone himself!!!!

But.., I must say., the new track maybe (sure) will have a 60% of this (glorious) former track:

Bobby Rahal, Benamo, Raul Boesel, Serra, Kissling, Miguel Guerra, Eliseo Salazar, Lionel Friedrich, John Della Penna..,
Mar Del Plata 1984

We have the F1 in Mar Del Plata!!!

http://www.corsaonli...-en-carrera.php

At last, carajo!!!

It would be awesome to have 2 races in south america, being that europe is the epicenter, south americans have "adopted" F1 racing like no other bernies "new market" ever will... and we have been with F1 since it's early days. I always thought that it was a crappy idea to abandon this side of the globe in order to acomodate another, in my beleive we should have the 2 races in north america and 2 in south america, and please not at the expense of the big tracks of europe, i don't want to see silverstone go, the french gp... it's just a shame that it was taken out of the calendar, just for more desert racing, where nobody will attend.

Don't get me wrong, I'm all for sharing F1 with the whole world, but why go to valencia streets when you already have barcelona track and if you want jerez? why drop france for abu dhabi? they have renault that is french, slowly but surely all bernie and max has been doing is changing all the places where we are used to seeing f1 race, nowdays they want us only to watch it on our tvs OR drop by $20 grand at some 'exotic" gp around the world. Only there aren't that many rich people anymore lol.

Are the wall in Valencia or Singapore less hard? Or what about the wall in Indy?!
Also Monaco, Valencia and Singapore have pretty much no runoff areas.

Yes, but this track is a hell of a lot quicker a hell of a lot more of the time.

I think one should ask WHICH Formula 1 will be in Argentina in 2010.

It would be awesome to have 2 races in south america, being that europe is the epicenter, south americans have "adopted" F1 racing like no other bernies "new market" ever will... and we have been with F1 since it's early days. I always thought that it was a crappy idea to abandon this side of the globe in order to acomodate another, in my beleive we should have the 2 races in north america and 2 in south america, and please not at the expense of the big tracks of europe, i don't want to see silverstone go, the french gp... it's just a shame that it was taken out of the calendar, just for more desert racing, where nobody will attend.

Don't get me wrong, I'm all for sharing F1 with the whole world, but why go to valencia streets when you already have barcelona track and if you want jerez? why drop france for abu dhabi? they have renault that is french, slowly but surely all bernie and max has been doing is changing all the places where we are used to seeing f1 race, nowdays they want us only to watch it on our tvs OR drop by $20 grand at some 'exotic" gp around the world. Only there aren't that many rich people anymore lol.

Dear brother:

You are EXTREMELY WRONG.,

Already in 1948, Argentina had F1 races..!!., In Fact the great Jean Pierre Wimille dies in race in Argentina, in 1949!!

We don`t are "new markets".. you country maybe is a new market., not Argentina.

The first F1 GP with points for the Championship in Argentina was in 1953.., when other countries (like Brazil) don't have nothing of that., even aren't close of that!!!

regards

Edited by Repco von Brabham, 12 June 2009 - 23:22.

Dear brother:

You are EXTREMELY WRONG.,

Already in 1948, Argentina had F1 races..!!., In Fact the great Jean Pierre Wimille dies in race in Argentina, in 1949!!

We don`t are "new markets".. you country maybe is a new market., not Argentina.

The first F1 GP with points for the Championship in Argentina was in 1953..,

regards

Sorry,Repco' but that was F2-And I think you will find the previous races in Argentina were F.Libre.3000cc supercharged Mercedes to pre -war GP formula ran in 1951.

In fact, the first Ferrari victory out of Europe, was in Argentina, in 1949.. Nino Farina won the grand Premio de Rosario, in the Parque Independencia circuit.,

Already in 1951, our Juan Fangio won the world Championship, when meanwhile the British and Frenchs don't won even a single damn F1 race!!!


Argentine is a "new market"??... yes, rigth....HAHAHAAAAHAHAAAHAAAA...

bye

Don't get me wrong, I'm all for sharing F1 with the whole world, but why go to valencia streets when you already have barcelona track and if you want jerez? why drop france for abu dhabi? they have renault that is french, slowly but surely all bernie and max has been doing is changing all the places where we are used to seeing f1 race, nowdays they want us only to watch it on our tvs OR drop by $20 grand at some 'exotic" gp around the world. Only there aren't that many rich people anymore lol.

Give someone else a chance to watch it in person.
Why should "rich" Europeans be the only ones who can attend the races ?
I'll go to Argentina !!

That could explain a lot, if Brazil is going down the tubes then it would make sense to move "next door" and keep a race in S. America.

I think the opposite. An Argentinian F1 date could enforce Brazil to remain in F1 calendar, as both races could be done in two consecutive weekends, as it was years ago.

Yes, but this track is a hell of a lot quicker a hell of a lot more of the time.

And the walls are only on the inside which means less chance having a repeat of Ralf Schumacher's accident at Indy.

I would love to see F1 at San Luis... not sure how the massive infrastructure needed could be created though.

That's my biggest concern. And Valencia has far more obvious passing spots.

Regardless, Potrero de los Funes is spectacular and in an ideal world would make it to the calendar. However notice that these news say specifically that they're looking at racing in a new track, not Potrero.

No no no, Potrero is EXTREMELY wide, its great width was one of the things FIA GT drivers pointed out last year; and besides, any circuit has to have better passing spots than Valencia streets...

We have the F1 in Mar Del Plata!!!

http://www.corsaonli...-en-carrera.php

At last, carajo!!!

If Argentina is on the calendar next season, that would increase Esteban Guerrieri's chances to get a seat...

My other immediate concern would be that the circuit looks really narrow, and wouldn't promote overtaking. Like Valencia doens't.

Prior comments say the track is actually exceptionally wide. Read back through the thread for verification.

UPDATE news!!

The Argentinian Autmóvil Club (ACA) is now in charge for the GP event and organisations,

We have a Grand Prix!!
http://www.quilmespr...mp;ffo=20090614

regards.,

UPDATE news!!

The Argentinian Autmóvil Club (ACA) is now in charge for the GP event and organisations,

We have a Grand Prix!!
http://www.quilmespr...mp;ffo=20090614

regards.,

Translation..

" The decision to bring the F1 is firme" Garci'a Remohi transmitio the objective of the Argentine government SPAS OF DEEP RIVER (Sent special). - President of the CDA of the Automobile Argentine Club (BREADFRUIT), Carlos Garci'a Remohí, yesterday was seen it walking by boxes of the automobile race track. The man after being excited before the propose different race east weekend by TC 2000, did not avoid to him to the dialogue with POPULAR NEWSPAPER to speak on the subject that has brought about true commotion in the last days, the possible return from Formula 1 to Argentina. Garci'a Remohí ratified that " negotiations with Bernie Ecclestone exist to make specific the return of the Great Prize of Argentina; yes, next year ". The manager mentioned that laying spoke long and with the cabinet head, Sergio Massa, about the objective that has considered the national government, " I chatted with Massa with that we have a well-known common it reiterated and me that the conversations with Ecclestone are directed, assured and me that the decision of the government as far as bringing to the F1 is firme" again;. The holder of the CDA added that " agreed with Massa one; future meeting stops after the general elections of this month; I suppose that there there will be but details; what yes he is concrete, he is that the government this firmly decided to that our country counts again on the F1 and in the 2010, the year of the Bicentennial. From already, BREADFRUIT this ready to collaborate as far as possible to make specific this project, it did since it in the previous stage between 1995 and 1998, without doubts hopefully that one takes shape because the F1 will put again to our country before the eyes of mundo". On the place that the government tries that the F1 ran, Remohí it threw all class of doubts, " the chosen place is Mar del Plata, is no otro". It denied to know Remohí, the sector of the Happy one where the street track could be nailed, only admitted that days ago she was in Mar del Plata the person in charge of the design of the circuits of Bahrein and the street guide of Valencia. The mentioned thing could indicate that the street guide in Mardel would have characteristics similar to the one of Valencia. RALLY, FULL CARDBOARD? The sport of irons could make full cardboard in 2010, to chance of the F1, adds the Rally to him Dakar Argentina Chile totally confirmed and, the alternative of which the Rally of Argentina, remains in the calendar. When speaking on the continuity of the Rally of Argentina, so far outside in world-wide calendar 2010 due to the system of rotation of dates imposed IT ENTRUSTS by, Remohí pronounced it optimist, " we are very well directed so that in 2010 we return to have the Rally of Argentina; but the important thing is the prestige that has our race, very organizational we do every time it better. And outside, the equipment ENTRUSTS and it know and valoran" to it; , it affirmed the holder of the CDA. By the end of this month IT ENTRUSTS, it could solve that in 2010 it follows the Rally of Argentina, " to all it enchants to them to come to Argentina, and the equipment as Citroen and Ford are helping us so that the race follows the year next; in addition BREADFRUIT works with force and firmness to make specific objetivo". About the form in which our country, told on a square in the World-wide one of Rally, could be that the championship had 13 dates, that is to say one but that the present one, and Argentina would have capacity there. " A thing is undeniable, if the Rally of Argentina did not have the organization who shows, nobody would leave to us to support and to ask so that corriendo" is followed; , it emphasized the manager.


Great news I think, will go hand in hand with Brazil, hopefully as the final 2 races. I would have loved to see San Luis but I trust a street circuit in Mar del Plata will be good as well because it's a spectacular city.

How are the current viewing figures and passion for F1 in Argentina?

Fantastic news.

Breadfruit?

I'm looking forward to the Argentine GP. I'll believe it when I hear Bernie say it and/or the official 2010 schedule comes out.

How are the current viewing figures and passion for F1 in Argentina?

I don`t have any figures but F1 makes headlines in every paper and Argentine news site.
Argentina still loves F1...even though there are no drivers to support as in the past.

Why isn't this being reported in the international press?

Oh ****, tough luck, you guys just signed up to the wrong series.

Good translation, "Hames Junt"..