Francomania is the term coined for the Formula 1 fever that has gripped Argentina in recent weeks. The sport’s popularity has skyrocketed, thanks to the sensational debut of Argentine Franco Colapinto. It’s only been three Grand Prix since the 21-year-old driver took over Logan Sargeant’s Williams seat, but there’s already talk of an Argentine Grand Prix in Buenos Aires.
Argentina boasts a rich history in motorsport. In the 1950s, five-time world champion Juan Manuel Fangio established himself as one of the greatest drivers of all time, and the Autódromo Oscar y Juan Gálvez in Buenos Aires was a regular fixture for Formula 1. However, since the 1990s, the South American country has played no significant role in the premier class. Until recently, Gastón Mazzacane was the last driver of Argentine descent. He only raced in twenty-one Grand Prix between 2000 and 2001.
These days, however, there is Franco Colapinto, the 21-year-old driver from Pilar, who is single-handedly reviving the Argentine Formula 1 community. Francomania is a breath of fresh air for motorsport enthusiasts in his home country, who can finally cheer for one of their own again. Former Formula 1 driver Miguel Ángel Guerra praises Colapinto for his impressive performances and the ‘Max Verstappen effect’ he is causing at home.
The ‘Argentine Verstappen’
“We have an impressive driver,” Guerra told El Grafico. “He is the Argentine Verstappen. Every astute team boss, like James Vowles at Williams has done, should have a conversation with Colapinto.” Meanwhile, Daniel Scioli, the Argentine Minister of Tourism, Environment and Sport, is already dreaming of a return of their own Grand Prix.
“Argentina is ready to host a Formula 1 race,” he recently stated in a social media post. “A Grand Prix is a global event. It creates jobs, international tourists and foreign currency.” In 1953, the first non-European GP was organized at the Autódromo Oscar y Juan Gálvez in Buenos Aires. The circuit disappeared from the calendar again in the 1960s. After many editions in the 1970s and 1980s, the last Argentine GP was held in 1998.
