Mauricio Macri has been elected President of Argentina – and that is good news for the motorsport world as Macri has plans to revive the Autódromo in Buenos Aires, in an effort to increase the country’s tourist trade. The election ends 12 years of rule by the Peronist Party. Macri has been mayor of Buenos Aires since 2007 and during that time his economic development department has analysed what to do with the facility. Elsewhere in the country provincial governments had built new circuits but the Buenos Aires facility has largely faded away. The analysis concluded that the Autódromo should remain a motor racing facility and should be revamped with new businesses to help make it more sustainable. These will include a racing school, a motorsport museum, a hotel and car show rooms. The city’s ultimate goal is for a return of Formula 1, but it has long been clear that this will only happen if there is backing from the federal government. Macri is reported to have met Bernie Ecclestone some years ago to discuss the possibilities, but Argentina’s economic problems have made a race impossible, although Hermann Tilke is understood to have designed a new layout, including a suitable pit and paddock complex that will need to be built. Macri has pledged to change the country’s economic policies in an effort to boost growth and stop the inflation that has crippled the country. If the money can be found, it would take around 18 months to rebuild the race track and so the earliest time we would see a race would be at the end of 2017, presumably linked to the Brazilian Grand Prix, as always used to be the case. However it is more realistic to look at 2018 and beyond, as there is a lot to do.
- Comment
-
Subscribe
Subscribed
Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
joeblogsf1 
. Another Tilke track? I’m sure Herr Tilke is a wonderful guy, but his track designs are far from inspirational and certainly don’t do much to bring any kind of excitement to F1. Can Argentina not find someone else to do the job? HK can’t be the only track designer in the world…or do you have to be Bernie’s buddy in order to get these kinds of jobs?
Surely there is enough scope around the existing circuit and grounds to modernise without turning it into a boringaring?
Meh. Tilke has to design to the safety-based FIA track design guides. He hardly has a free hand…
I’ve seen a nice amateur design which incorporates the old section – using a chicane into the old track, where the turn onto the current back straight lies. Done right, it could keep the usage of either track layout (old and new).
It would really add something ‘je ne sais quoi’: the old flat right hander around a lake, leading into a long back straight and tight chicane passing opportunity at the end of it – but I’m not so sure how likely we are to ever see something like that happen!
Well, Argentina is certainly a country that we should take as a traditional motorsport location. And off course a race there would be in the right timezone for the USA public as well.
I hope the numbers add up and we get this race. I can imagine crowds being about as enthusiastic as the Mexicans were. Then the only thing we need is an Argentinian driver 🙂
Yo no come einglases
Yay! bring back the 90s, where the country was shoulders deep in menure, while the rich enjoyed their F1 races…
I’d gladly watch races happening elsewhere on TV, thank you veyr much!
Oh no…. A Tilke re-design. !!
Why break something that doesn’t need fixing ? . A new pits complex and grandstand perhaps , but, don’t let him touch the circuit, or any circuit in the world for that matter.
If Argentina happens, what race is it likely to replace?
Italy, British, USA, Malaysia, China, Austria, Russia, Bahrain?
I think all the above have been on the endangered list at some point during the last 12 months.
I cannot see it being sustainable to have more than 20 Grand Prix in a season in the long run
There are restrictions on what can be lost. This is why they have tried to make people think Baku is in Europe.
Has the Curse of Autocorrect struck again and turned the poor fellow into a “Marco”?
I gave up with what the Argentinian goverment says long ago, they talk to much and do very little except for themselves. Corruption is king there which might suit some in the F1 hierarchy, whilst I’d love to see it happen, it’s unlikely.
It is a new government
Will be interesting to observe whether the new regime can rise above the corruption or become a part of it.
If they rise above corruption, for sure there will be no F1 GP in Argentina, or am I being too cynical right now?
The only way to find out is to try…
Well, if Tilke is involved, I hope it’s just the pit are and press facilities. Leave the track alone. I’m tired of his tracks.
He screws up press facilities as well
You vant vindows?
T’would be nice…
That would be another race dependent on cash from local or national government. Can someone tell me how many of them are?
Why not just update the pits and paddock and use the 1998 track layout Joe?
You’ve not been to Buenos Aires then…
Joe, most of us haven’t been there. Why not just answer the guy’s very reasonable question, rather than a sarky comment about his lack of travel?
Most of you have been there? Tosh!
He said HAVEN’T been there. Come on mate.
You seem to have misread his response and come to the completely wrong interpretation. Anyway, as ACx states, you could at least be courteous enough to provide a reasonable explanation instead of a high handed dismissal.
Not been there but if you go on Google Earth you can get a good idea of how the track is now. There plenty of recent photos as well.
The general layout reminds me a little of Brazil though CW with a bit of China thrown in. However it pretty obvious everything in the circuit including the track needs to be redesigned and rebuilt to bring up to GP standard.
Why not enlighten the poor fellow?
Elitism. If he doesn’t know why, he’s got no business following F1. It’s not Mr. Saward’s job to educate people.
Come on. Joe has his way of saying things, sharing his thoughts on F1 with us for free, but has his right on doing things his way. He is not obliged to answer all our questions. Just as we are not obliged to read what he writes (or whatever anyone writes, for that matter).
I for one enjoy Joe’s writing and if he replies to a comment, nice. If not, than not.
Carry on, Joe.
Exactly. If people ask stupid questions, it’s absolutely Mr. Saward’s right to counter stupidity with an insult. As I said, F1 is an elitist sport. It isn’t Nascar or football.
Is this conversation getting anywhere?
Yes, that was my first response -why does Mr Tilke have a stranglehold on new track designs? Or at least tracks that will be likely to be used for F1. I don’t get it. Joe, do you have any insight?
Mr Ecclestone likes Mr Tilke to an extraordinary extent. Personally I find his designs dull and his character unappealing. I have trouble in understanding what Mr Ecclestone might see in him. I wonder about the relationship.
Could it be there are few alternatives who can be relied on to deliver?
e.g. Alan L. Wilson, born Durban, South Africa, an American designer of race tracks. Barber Motorsports Park (a masterpiece), oversaw the redesign of Circuit Mont-Tremblant, etc.. Married to Desiré Wilson, the only woman to win an F1 race of any description.
Alan Wilson is the first bloke I thought of too. He did Miller in Utah, brilliant track. But my guess he wouldn’t get along with Bernie 🙂
Joe, you made me laugh with the reference to Mr Tilke’s personality being like his tracks. At least that’s what I think you said. Hah!
There is also Clive Bowen of Apex
Probably a financial element that is to the short one’s advantage.
So yet another pennyless government to be seduced by the little sorcerer to line his pockets for 3 or 4 years before they’re screwed in favour of the next sucker.
No, because Argentina has a long and very brilliant tradition in racing. I was at the last Argentine GPs and they were great.
but still a pennyless government. and why Buenos Aires? Termans and Potrero de los funes are both really good layouts, great acces, hotels and more.
The article explains this
The main point Richard was making was that the country of Argentina are currently in no shape to be lining the pockets of F1 with tax payer’s money while it has more pressing issues to address. I agree.
Argentina definitely has more pressing issues but, apart from stirring up some sentiment about the Falklands, what better way of diverting attention from these pressing issues than holding a grand prix?
Yes. One word – Fangio.
Has anyone ever looked into how much Tilke gets paid for ‘designing’ these tracks. Is there ever a tender process for such a project. Is he employed by FIA, CVC? Something doesn’t smell right there…
Surely he is not the only person in the world capable of designing an F1 track?
I really am fed up of these organisations/cartels taking all the money out of sport (not just F1) and exploiting fans who genuinely love watching and participating in them. More needs to be done, as you do well Joe, to highlight the money involved and where it ends up. Given all the scandals around FIFA, IAAF, IOC, WADA, F1 surely there’s enough for editors, journalists to put a David Walsh style, many years in the making story together.
Anyway back to the blog – Argentina would be a great addition, hopefully at the expense of some of the deadwood tracks we have. Mexico was a great spectacle but poor track (thanks Tilke!)
My guess is that he either works for the track owner or the local promotor.
The management of these companies my well have little idea how to get an FAI safety approved track built. With this background is it any surprise that they tend to go with the people who have a track record of delivering approved tracks in time for the first race( even if it’s only just just in time).
I believe that the folks at COTA were told that they HAD to use him, or maybe it was that if they used him then the facility would be approved for F1 by the FIA, and if not then they could bank on a load of troubles.
That being said, I think the COTA design is a damn good one, so he got at least one right.
Gosh!! What a surprise. Sarcasm.
Not sure Tilke did get it right. From Wikipedia on the track design:
“The layout was conceived by promoter Tavo Hellmund and 1993 Motorcycle World Champion Kevin Schwantz[7] with the assistance of German architect and circuit designer Hermann Tilke,……”
Also, wasn’t another company involved in the redo of Silverstone? A design that actually worked? Please go away Mr. Tilke.
Rich, part of the issue is the fact that designing race circuits is a niche industry – there is, after all, a relatively limited demand for circuits – which means that there aren’t many alternatives.
Furthermore, one major advantage Tilke has is that his company effectively operates as a “one stop shop” – they can take charge of development all the way from the conceptual design to supervising the construction of the circuit, which I believe is pretty much unique in that sector (outfits like Populous, which were responsible for redeveloping Silverstone, or Apex Design, another circuit designer, are, as far as I am aware, cannot manage the construction of the circuit).
From the point of view of the client, that makes it considerably easier to work with Tilke than the other designers in that sector and therefore gives Tilke an important edge.
There have been instances where third parties have been involved though – for example, although Tilke began work on the Marina Bay circuit in Singapore, the final design was developed by KBR.
Thanks – some helpful bits there. I still think there must be a company that is capable of offering an all in one solution – if not that’s a game to be in.
Audience with Joe at downtown La Cigale maybe?
There may be a lot to do, but when there is a will …..
It would be good to have argentina back on the F1 calendar. That country has produced among the greatest of sportsmen: Fangio in F1, and di Stefano in football. Out of their sports gear both could be mistaken for magistrates (no scruffy facial hair or tattoos for them) and in their respective sports they were unbeatable. They’re still regarded as such today by many.
Hi Joe a little Off Topic here, but is there going to be another ‘aside with Joe ‘ this season?
Thanks
I hope so.
I hope it comes to fruition as the country has a rich racing heritage. I think the non championship race held there was the only F1 race Chris Amon ever won.
I hope it comes to fruition as the country has a rich racing heritage. I think the non championship race held there was the only F1 race Chris Amon won
All sounded good until the dread word Tilke.
The COTA track in Austin is good. My understanding is it was designed by some motorcycle racer and the original investor – then Tilke built the track, taking into account all future-proofing and FIA requirements etc.
I may be wrong, but I was lead to believe this is why Austin is a more interesting track, compared with HT’s usual work.
I suspect it’s not really fair yet to pass judgement on Mexico. Just because the race this year was mindnumbingly dull doesn’t mean it isn’t potentially a decent track.
I thought Sochi was gonna be much better than it turned out. For example the big turn at T3 looks like it has overtaking potential on paper. But the racing is as flat as its elevation changes.
From a UK perspective, races in American time zones suit me really well, but knowing American races officially count as part of the European minimum makes me slightly suspicious this one could just be a means of replacing Silverstone or Monza.
As an Argentine and F1 follower I would love to get our Grand Prix back but not on the dreadful Mickey Mouse layout used on the las GPs (1995/98). The only entertaining layout would have to be based on the 1972/1981 layout with the two long straights and the high speed loop runnning around the lake. Can’t see that happening because of safety reasons (unless it were ruined with assorted chicanes). Anything else not including those bits would be to short or too slow.
Having said that, Macri has passed a local law which aims towards recovering the track and its grounds as Joe mentions so the foundations are there. However, a cash strapped economy will probably make it hard to find the required investors and funding on a short term basis (public funding would be very unpopular at a moment when the new national government will have its hands full trying to put the economy back on track).
So, as much as I’d like to have our race back, I don’t think it will happen for quite some time.
Argentina as an “event” was awesome. The first one I went to in 1977, the track marshals post at the last corner was a machine gun emplacement with solders facing the crowd. I had flu and was suffering massive dehydration, but I well remember whole event as a wonderful the spectacle. A great place with tremendous fan support. Yes please.
What about the new MotoGP track in the north of the country? I think DOMO in Italy designed it and the riders love it because it’s fast.
The article explains…
That’s the second time this year I’ve been reaching for ‘The World Atlas of Motor Racing’. Whilst naturally out of date for many circuits, it’s great to have a reference of what Buenos Aires and Mexico used to be, as well as the history of who won the races in the past. I’m afraid my purchase of it for a couple of pounds second hand a few years ago did nothing to swell Joe’s coffers, but I’m grateful to Joe for writing it.
It was written almost 30 years ago…
I’m sure I read that one of Tilke’s hobbies is endurance racing at the Nordschleife. In which case he ought to be doing a much better job .
Shame that Macri has a vested interest in bringing the Argentine GP back to the capital, Buenos Aires as there exists a wonderful circuit around a lake (way) out West near St Luis. The circuit of Lago Potrero de los Funes has dips and swoops around the lake and has been upgraded in the last few years and used in GT racing.
Although the track is incredible and a million miles away from a Tilke drome – unfortunately, it is also a million miles away from Buenos Aires (or about 500 miles / 800kms to be precise).
A search on You Tube will find some racing there and the track looks a real challenge.