15/03/2012
NEWS STORY
Argentina's President, Cristina Kirchner, has revealed that she is in negotiations to return F1 to the country which hosted 20 Grands Prix and gave the sport one of its greatest drivers.
Kirchner revealed the negotiations at Government House, which is currently hosting an exhibition of cars used in the recent Dakar Rally.
"I was brought the proposal to stage Formula One in Argentina and we're reaching agreement," she said.
She was subsequently quoted by La Nacion as saying: "God willing, we'll have Formula One in Argentina."
Although a ground-breaking ceremony took place in December which marked the start of work on the 2.92 mile Velociudad Speedcity circuit in Zarate, around 62 miles from Buenos Aires, La Nacion claims the Grand Prix would be held on a street circuit (ugh!) in the seaside resort of Mar del Plata. The publication also claims the race would be held in November or December with the first event being held as early as next year.
Between 1953 and 1998, Argentina hosted 20 rounds of the Formula One World Championship at the Autodromo Oscar Alfredo Galvez, which was built on swampland just outside the capital. Winners included Alberto Ascari, Juan Manuel Fangio, Stirling Moss, Emerson Fittipaldi, Mario Andretti, Damon Hill and Michael Schumacher, who won the last event in 1998. A Grand Prix was planned for 1999 but was cancelled pre-season.