Formula One returns to Argentina

prisonermonkeys

prisonermonkeys

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While traipsing across Autosport looking for the latest on the budget cap, I found this on the forums (it's entirely in Spanish, so there won't be the usual quote of sources for your viewing pleasure because I don't speak a word of it). Now, it hasn't been reported elsewhere, but judging by some of the comments made by users at those forums, this is only in the preliminary stages and so probably slipped through the cracks in the light of the budget cap and last-minute negotiations. Going by the very rough Babelfish translation, Formula One will be returning to Argentina and possibly for 2010. Precisely where in Argentina is left unsaid, only that the country will host a round.

I know there's a movement for the sport to move to the Potrero de los Fuens circuit in San Luis given its unique design and the rave reviews the drivers have been giving it. All the circuit really needs is an upgrade in terms of its pit facilities and apparently it will meet the requirements of the FIA's level 1 circuits. However my - admittedly very limited - understanding of Argentinian politics is that San Luis and the Potrero de los Fuens circuit is in a seat held by the national opposition, an with an Argentine Grand Prix receiving backing from the government, it's unlikely the circuit would be used. In addition, circuit design guru Herman Tilke has been to Mar del Plata on the Argentine coast, home of the original Argentine Grand Prix. Given that a 2010 date has been set - and an Argentine Grand Prix would probably take is traditional place alongside the Brazilian race - there's no way a permanent facility could be constructed in time; a street circuit seems likely.
 
Do you race?
(it's entirely in Spanish, so there won't be the usual quote of sources for your viewing pleasure because I don't speak a word of it).
Click to expand...


I can help with that:

The Argentina Automobile Club president Carlos García Remohí talks about how there are negotiations with Ecclestone about returning the F1 to Argentina in 2010. It has the Government support to make it run in Mar De Plata, and that Tilke has been in the part of the city where the track will be, so it should look like Valencia. Until future announcements, a street track is confirmed.
 
It would be tragic to miss out on the great Potrero do los Funes because of politics, but I must say I'm surprised it is considered safe enough, and missing out on the grounds of safety is regrettable but understandable.

But another street circuit? No thanks, especially another Tilke one. I hugely respect his tracks like Sepang and Istanbul, but he cannot plot decent street tracks - he needs to accept that overtaking won't happen and make a challenging circuit like Detroit where the action will come from mistakes. Trying to translate his "hairpin-straight-hairpin" to street circuits clearly does not work.

If PdlF is not safe enough, I'd rather they built a new circuit, or modernised the old circuit at Buenos Aires.
 
Well, its down to the manufacturers, you can be sure of that, they've been attempting to get it back for ages now as they want a race in the North American market and there are few other suitable race tracks immediately available.
But Ecclestone certainly isn't going out of his way to get it back, as the Canadian GP promoter has been trying to get F1 back for a while now, this must be what, the 6th meeting this year with Ecclestone about it?

So I wouldn't call it a U-turn, and if it is, it happened a few months ago with the first meeting.
 

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