The Argentinian Formula 4 championship has revealed the calendar, and a mid-week format, for its delayed first season.
Originally penned for 2019, the series cancelled several rounds due to a lack of parts and entries, then delayed to this year in-part due to a post-election recession. However the series is still low on entries less than a month before the first 2020 round.
Each round will take place across a Tuesday and Wednesday rather than the typical weekend format, with the two free practice sessions and qualifying taking place on the first day and the two races taking place on the second day.
Buenos Aires, host of Formula 1’s Argentine Grand Prix on 21 occasions between 1953 and 1998, is provisionally the location of all eight rounds of the country’s first full FIA championship, and is confirmed for the March 24/25 season opener.
“For now all the races will be held at the Buenos Aires circuit,” series organiser Tito Perez told Formula Scout. “There are possibilities of two more FIA approved circuits [joining the calendar], but it is not definite.”
These two circuits will likely be MotoGP venue Termas de Rio Hondo and World Superbikes circuit El Villicum, which were included in the original calendar for the cancelled 2019 season using the Mygale chassis.
Perez also clarified how grid will be set for the second race of each round: “The grid of the second race [of each round] will be organised on the fastest lap in the first race.”
The first three drivers to sign up for Argentinian F4 are reigning Brazilian Formula Vee champion Joao Pedro Maia, local talent Lucho Martinez and Bolivian Mateo Vega.
Neighbouring country Brazil has had trouble launching its own FIA-endorsed F4 series, having already hosted the Formula Academy Sudamericana championship for several years, and is delayed its first season until 2021.
2020 calendar
March 24/25, Buenos Aires
April 21/22
May 12/13
June 2/3
August 11/12
September 8/9
October 20/21
November 17/18