Franco Colapinto thrills Buenos Aires crowd, sparks talk of F1 return

Argentina’s 22‑year‑old rising star Franco Colapinto turned a makeshift street circuit in Palermo into a pop‑up Grand Prix, pulling a crowd larger than many full‑scale races and showcasing a roaring V8 Lotus alongside a replica 1950s Mercedes W196.

Why it matters:

• Fan power: The turnout proved Argentina still boasts some of the most passionate F1 supporters on the planet, a key selling point for any future calendar slot.
• Historical link: Driving the W196 tied today’s excitement to Juan Manuel Fangio’s double‑championship era, reminding the sport of its deep South‑American roots.
• Commercial upside: A revived Argentine Grand Prix would unlock new sponsorship, tourism and broadcast markets for the sport.

The details:

• Venue: A specially built 1.2‑km street layout through the picturesque Palermo district, running on Avenida Libertador.
• Cars: Colapinto piloted a 2012 Lotus E20 powered by a Renault V8 (the same engine Kimi Raikkonen used to win Abu Dhabi) painted in Alpine livery, then switched to a fully functional replica Mercedes W196.
• Runs: Two 15‑minute stints, each ending with a dramatic fire‑show as the V8 spun at full revs for over a minute.
• Crowd reaction: Hundreds of thousands lined the streets, chanting, waving flags and flooding the track after each lap.
• Message: "We have the best fans in the world. We deserve a race back on the calendar," Colapinto told the audience.

What's next:

• Oscar y Juan Gálvez upgrades: The historic circuit is being rebuilt for MotoGP from 2027, laying groundwork for an F1‑grade facility.
• Early talks: FIA and F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali have reportedly opened preliminary discussions about a possible Argentine round.
• Colapinto’s role: The driver plans to keep championing the cause, using his growing platform to keep the conversation alive.

If the momentum continues, the next time Colapinto fires up an F1 car in Buenos Aires it could be under official Grand Prix lights.