Franco Colapinto's impact is beginning to be felt beyond the track. His arrival in Formula 1, after 23 years without an Argentinian presence in the category, not only mobilized fans and attracted brands, but also reactivated training projects for new talent. In this context, the Argentine Automobile Club (ACA) announced its return to European motorsport with a program that seeks to repeat the historic path that led Carlos Alberto Reutemann to
the elite.The initiative will focus on participation in Italian Formula 4 starting in 2026, where the ACA will be the main sponsor of the Alpha 54 Racing team. The project also has the support of the Government of the City of Buenos Aires and the support of YPF, and marks the return of the entity to an international championship after more than five decades
.The precedent dates back to 1970, when the ACA promoted the arrival of Carlos Reutemann to Europe with Benedicto Caldarella in the Formula 2 European Championship, under the direction of Héctor Staffa. On board a Brabham BT30-Cosworth, the man from Santa Fe began a process that exploded in 1971, with a victory and six podiums that left him on the verge of the title against Ronnie Peterson and finally opened the doors of
Formula 1 for him.
More than half a century later, that model is taking shape again with Alpha 54, a structure based in Italy and Argentine roots, founded by Nicolás Bianco and Gregorio Mandrini, the latter with experience in Formula 1. The ACA explained that the choice responds to “the need to facilitate the adaptation of young pilots abroad, reducing language and cultural barriers, and promoting a closer and more efficient work environment
