Argentine Grand Prix: why it’s not a priority for Mohammed Ben Sulayem. Argentina pushes for a comeback but FIA president has other plans.

South Africa or Rwanda?
Formula 1 appears to be moving closer to a potential return to Africa, the only continent that hasn’t hosted a Grand Prix since 1994. Negotiations are ongoing between the sport and two countries, South Africa and Rwanda, both competing to secure a race weekend in the coming years. The desire to include an African event soon has been confirmed not only by F1 President and CEO Stefano Domenicali but also by FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem. However, the Emirati former rally driver and current president of the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile has emphasized a crucial condition: the championship cannot exceed 24 races on the calendar.

Argentina Pushes for a Comeback
In addition to its African ambitions, F1 is also exploring expansion into other countries such as Thailand and the inclusion of new circuits starting in 2026. Madrid is set to replace Barcelona, while the future of Imola remains uncertain, and Zandvoort is expected to disappear after 2026. Among the nations lobbying for a return to F1 is Argentina, absent since 1998 and home to five-time world champion Juan Manuel Fangio. The recent debut of Franco Colapinto, a driver who has become a social phenomenon in his homeland, has further strengthened Argentina’s case. However, organizing a Grand Prix in the South American country remains a complex task for Mohammed Ben Sulayem.

The Priority
Mohammed Ben Sulayem explained this in an interview with the YouTube channel Carburando, highlighting the main priorities: “It is possible now to go to Africa,” he said. “It’s great to see, for example, that there are four races in the Middle East when before it was just a dream. I remember someone once told me not to ever think that Formula 1 would come to your region, to your country, or that there would ever be a president like you or someone from this country (United Arab Emirates, ed.). It’s incredible how the world changes. So, Argentina is not new, as I said, because of Fangio, and it has hosted a Grand Prix. But to have a proper championship, you not only need manufacturers but also continents. We are heading to Africa, but the number of races has to stay the same, and there must be a selection.”