The president also highlighted the recovery of confidence in the country and the measures implemented in the automotive sector
During the meeting, Milei also highlighted the historical role of the Argentine Automobile Club (ACA), founded in 1904 by twenty pioneers. In this sense, he used the history of the institution to defend the role of the private sector.
“What this institution did in its early decades is a textbook case of something we tend to forget in this country: that the private sector, when organized, solves on its own what the State cannot resolve or resolves inefficiently,” he stated.
The president Javier Milei led the opening of the American Congress of the International Automobile Federation (FIA) in Buenos Aires on Monday and took the opportunity to propose that Argentina return to the calendar of Formula 1 and the World Rally.
In front of the leaders of the member clubs of the organization and its president, Mohammed Ben Sulayem, Milei stated: “The Argentina that is once again hosting the FIA is the same Argentina that has all the conditions to once again welcome Formula 1 and the World Rally in its calendar.”
The president linked the holding of the American Congress of the FIA with the recovery of international confidence in the country. The meeting also represents a significant event for Argentina, as it was held for the first time in fifteen years.
“This is a demonstration that Argentina is regaining confidence and that this is once again a serious country where it is worth investing time, prestige, and capital,” Milei affirmed during his speech.
The President also referred to the history of Argentine motorsport to support his proposal. He recalled the times when Formula 1 raced at the Óscar and Juan Gálvez racetrack during the fifties, seventies, and nineties, with packed stands. The last race took place in 1998, 28 years ago.
“Throughout that time, the passion of Argentines for racing never faded. We never stopped loving this sport,” he stated.
From that reference, Milei called to project Argentina's presence again in the main international competitions. “I dare to invite you to dream with me,” he expressed to the FIA representatives, before highlighting the country's automotive tradition, the emergence of internationally projected drivers, and what he considered a recovery of institutional seriousness.
The conclusion of his call was directly related to Franco Colapinto, one of the figures of current Argentine motorsport. “We want to see Colapinto in the country,” the President affirmed.
As the president highlighted, the ACA went from having 20 members at its inception to over 300,000 today.
Milei also took advantage of his presentation to defend the economic reforms promoted during his administration regarding the automotive sector and relate them to road safety. He pointed out that the Argentine vehicle fleet is on average almost fifteen years old and attributed this situation to decades of policies that artificially increased access to new vehicles.
“A fifteen or twenty-year-old car does not have the same airbag, nor the same anti-lock braking system, nor the same structure as a new one,” he warned.
In this context, he stated that the elimination of the country tax and the reduction of tariffs on imported cars led to price drops of up to almost 30% in some segments. “Cheaper cars mean newer cars, and newer cars mean simply fewer Argentines suffering accidents on the roads,” he affirmed.
Finally, the President linked road safety with infrastructure. He indicated that his Government has already tendered concessions for the operation and maintenance of more than 9,000 kilometers of road corridors, with works planned for October, and anticipated the tendering of between 6,000 and 12,000 additional kilometers.
“A well-maintained road, properly signposted, and with adequate shoulders saves as many lives as a safe car,” he concluded.
