Franco Colapinto has voiced his desire to see Formula 1 return to Argentina as renovations continue at the circuit in Buenos Aires, promising a potential "record-breaking" turnout.
F1 visited Argentina 20 times between 1953 and 1998, but the country has been absent from the calendar for almost three decades.
However, significant steps have been taken towards a return to the motorsport scene, with major refurbishment work beginning at the Autódromo Oscar y Juan Gálvez earlier this year.
The project is being carried out in preparation for MotoGP’s return to the venue next season.
Colapinto, who is one of only two Argentine drivers to have raced in F1 this century, predicted that the level of support for the sport would be unlike anything previously witnessed if it returned to the circuit.
“When I went to Argentina, I visited the track, I saw the plan of how they are going to do it,” Colapinto told media, including RacingNews365.
“The track, they are rebuilding everything, they are redoing the whole track. Everything is kind of levelled now.
“It's been a very historic track in Argentina, even in F1 a lot of years ago, but it was nice when they were going to race there.
“The fans are amazing; they are very passionate, extremely passionate, and I think will be a very solid race for F1 to go to at some point, probably some records in terms of people going there.
“The way the fans support the drivers or the teams would be something that has never seen before.
“It would be amazing if F1 can do that. So hopefully it happens.”
However, Argentina is facing competition from various other locations around the world that are keen to get involved in F1.
Colapinto highlighted that F1 has enjoyed strong growth in Argentina, stating it is the second most followed sport behind football.
“Of course, a lot of things need to happen, I'm a businessman, I don't know what's going on behind the scenes, but there is interest,” he said.
“It would not make a lot of sense if there isn't interest. F1 in the country is growing massively.
“It's probably the second sport now behind football, of course, but that's going to be tricky to beat.
“It's growing and growing more, and I think it will be an amazing race.”
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