From local idea to Italy: how Argentina’s plan to reach F1 begins | OneFootball

The ACA, YPF, and the City support Alpha 54 Racing, a team that will compete in the Italian Formula 4 with Argentine drivers.

Argentine motorsport is driving a new international project: the Argentine Automobile Club, YPF, and the City of Buenos Aires are backing Alpha 54 Racing, a team that will compete in the Italian Formula 4. The outfit was created by Argentine mechanics Nicolás Bianco and Gregorio Mandrini, who recently gained experience in Formula 1.

The goal is clear: to create a platform for Argentine drivers and technicians in Europe, given the impossibility of sustaining a Formula 4 project in the country for economic reasons. The local initiative was ruled out due to the high costs of the cars and their maintenance, which led to resources being redirected abroad.

Against that backdrop, the budget planned for a national category would allow a driver to compete directly in Europe, in a context marked by growing interest in motorsport following the emergence of Franco Colapinto.

The project also marks an institutional return: the ACA is once again getting involved as a sponsor in European categories after more than 50 years, in a move that echoes its historic support of Carlos Reutemann at the start of his international career.

Alpha 54 Racing already has two cars confirmed for the 2026 season and its drivers set: Thiago Palotini and Federico Díaz Quaglia. Both will be officially presented at ACA headquarters, where public- and private-sector contributions will also be formalized.

The team works in Faenza, in Italy’s so-called “Motor Valley,” and has already carried out track testing. Its debut is scheduled for May 10 at Misano, in the opening round of the calendar.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.