Formula One may return to Argentina (Update)
The sport has not raced at the then-aging venue in Buenos Aires since 1998, but Bernie Ecclestone said last month: "We're talking to them and it can happen."
Interestingly, the last grand prix in Argentina was promoted by the Gastaldi family. Today, Argentine Federico Gastaldi is the deputy team boss at Lotus.
Now, it is not known if Gastaldi will continue at the Enstone team next year as it transitions to ownership by the French carmaker Renault.
Gastaldi's brother Marcos, meanwhile, is definitely involved in the latest race talks with F1 supremo Ecclestone, according to Reuters news agency.
As for Argentina's hopes of returning to F1, Federico said recently: "Bernie had this idea to wait and see what happens with the election which is in a couple of weeks. So we might have a good chance."
At the weekend, the incumbent Argentine government lost the general election to the now president-elect Mauricio Macri.
Macri is a Buenos Aires native, and until now has headed the city's local government.
He declared: "Argentina's big problem today is that for four years there has been no growth, for four years no jobs have been created and now we have to get the country moving."
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| Ecclestone gives a thumbs-up in the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez paddock Thursday |
10/30/15 The sport is in Mexico this weekend for the first time in 23 years and Ecclestone has hailed the revamped Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez.
Ecclestone, who was given a guided tour of the track and facilities here in Mexico City on Thursday, hinted he is keen on taking the sport back to Argentina for the first time since 1998.
But Ecclestone, the sport's chief executive, did not speak in illustrious terms of Formula One's events in Europe, with the long-term futures of races in Italy, Britain and Germany all in doubt.
"It's good to have it back again," said Ecclestone upon F1's return to Mexico City. "I am very happy, they've done a good job. A super job in fact.
"We should get some of the European promoters to come to these races and have a look and see what they should be doing.
"It is incredible. All these countries in a little bit of financial problems and they are getting the job done. And the so-called mighty Europe… It is really and truly the people behind things that make things happen. Not necessarily the circuit or the paddock, just the people's attitude.
"It's nothing to do really with money, it's what people want to do."
Fewer races are being staged in Europe than ever before, and after claiming in Austin last week that he wants to stage four grands prix in the United States, Argentina could join Mexico and Brazil as the third event to be held in Latin America.
"We're talking to them and it can happen," Ecclestone, who turned 85 on Wednesday, said.
Argentina last hosted a race in Buenos Aeries in 1998 which was won by Michael Schumacher for Ferrari. Sporting Life