SPORTS
F1 race director Whiting inspects Buenos Aires track
Baku, August 16, AZERTAC
FIA Formula 1 race director Charlie Whiting has completed an “informal visit” of Argentina’s Buenos Aires circuit to evaluate the state of the facility, according to motorsport.com.
Whiting walked circuit, which was last used for F1 in 1998, and is believed to have been pleased with the standard of the track.
He made clear to organizers areas of the circuit which require improvement and upgrading in order to comply with F1 standards required to host a race.
Whiting was joined on his tour by members of the city government and representatives from the Automovil Club Argentino (ACA) and the Argentinean Drivers’ Association (Association Argentina de Volantes).
It has been suggested that Argentina is keen on F1 returning to the country, with former F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone hinting in 2015 it was a possibility.
F1 commercial chief Sean Bratches has said Liberty Media is keen for a calendar of more than 21 grand prix by the 2019 season, leading to interest from several countries.
Portugal and Turkey are known to want F1 to return to their shores, while there has been talk of a second race in the United States.
Should Argentina return in the future, it would be the third race in Latin America, joining Brazil and Mexico.
Buenos Aires hosted 20 F1 races between 1953 and 1998.