Argentina not on the F1 horizon says Ecclestone

27/09/2012

As Pitpass has revealed, the 2013 Formula One calendar which was distributed over the weekend cannot be trusted to be final as several races which are shown do not even have contracts to hold a Grand Prix. However, whilst the calendar may show races which don't end up taking place, it seems that one of the races which is missing stands little chance of getting on it. That race is the Argentine Grand Prix.

A Grand Prix hasn't taken place in Argentina since 1998 but over the past year there has been increasing talk that the country was on its way back to F1's calendar. In fact, the talk got so intense at one point that it was thought the race could take place as soon as 2013. It certainly doesn't look like that will be happening now so, in that respect, the recent calendar is spot on.

"I don't see it [being possible for 2013]," says F1's boss Bernie Ecclestone adding "we are always open to doing something in Argentina. When we meet some serious people it will happen."

It isn't clear precisely who Ecclestone has been dealing with in Argentina and the only local name which has been mentioned in connection with an F1 project in the country is businessman Eddie Freedman. His project certainly seems to be serious.

Freedman was born in Canada but has family connections with Argentina and he is the man behind a plan to build an F1-standard circuit around 50 miles from the country's capital Buenos Aires. The project, known as Velociudad Speedcity includes a 3.3 mile circuit, a hotel, convention centre, restaurants and shopping area. The circuit was created by Drew MacDonald, lead track designer for architects Populous, who worked on the recent upgrades to Silverstone. Ex-F1 driver Stefan Johansson has been a consultant on the project which is due to be complete by between 2015 and 2016. Perhaps by then an Argentine Grand Prix will be more likely.