An extraordinary 600,000 fans flocked to Buenos Aires to witness Franco Colapinto's Formula 1 roadshow, a crowd size that surpasses attendance at many typical Grand Prix weekends, as reported by Motorsport.com.
The massive turnout underscores Argentina's growing ambition to bring Formula 1 back to the country after an almost 30-year absence. Colapinto, 22, has become a national sensation since his F1 debut with Williams in mid-2024, with a move to Alpine confirmed for 2025. He thrilled the home crowd by driving a 2012 Lotus E20, powered by a Renault V8 engine, through a specially created street circuit in Palermo.
The event, which included donuts and a fiery finale, also saw Colapinto drive a replica Mercedes W196, the car in which legendary Argentine driver Juan Manuel Fangio won world championships. Colapinto used the occasion to send a direct message to Formula 1, stating, "We are the best fans in the world and it is great to show that, because we are showing Formula 1 that we deserve to return to the calendar and that we deserve to have a race again."
While discussions for an F1 return remain in early stages, the overwhelming support demonstrated in Buenos Aires, coupled with Colapinto's impassioned plea, is expected to capture the attention of Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali.
Source: Motorsport.com