The Franco Colapinto craze is in full bloom in Buenos Aires. 

The Argentine racer will drive a Formula 1 car through the city streets on April 26, as part of a showcase through the Bosques de Palermo (Palermo Woods park) that is set to be a historic demonstration event.

The exhibition has already garnered massive attention from the crowds. Projections by the Buenos Aires City government estimate that over half a million people will attend, with a limited run of tickets sold out in minutes.

“Driving at home in an F1 car will be one of the most special moments of my life,” said Colapinto about the exhibition. “It’s my way of giving back, even just a little, for all the support and love I’ve received since I was very young.”

The 22-year-old, who’s the first Argentine to make it to F1 since 2001, will become the first Argentine since Óscar Gálvez in 1949 to run with an F1 car through the streets of Buenos Aires. 

The last local to drive an F1 car on home soil was Esteban Tuero, when he participated in the 1998 Argentine Grand Prix with his Minardi car.

“Every message, every flag, and every cheer have always been there. This is for all of you to enjoy this special moment together,” added Colapinto.

The last time an F1 car raced through Buenos Aires was in December 2012, when Australian Daniel Ricciardo showcased the 2011 Red Bull Renault around the Obelisk.

Tickets gone with the wind

Tickets to see Franco Colapinto sold out within minutes.

Priced between AR$80,000 (just under US$57) and AR$180,000 (US$128), a special pre-sale of 5000 tickets to the showcase through MercadoLibre — one of Colapinto’s key sponsors — sold out in just an hour on Monday. 

The platform reported over 30,000 people joining the virtual queue when it hit the market. 

On Tuesday, the remaining 10,000 spots went up for sale and also sold out in under an hour.

Tickets won’t be the only way to enjoy Colapinto’s run through Palermo.

While those guarantee a spot in the grandstands and fan zones for exclusive activities, the organization has also prepared large free sections for the general public, allowing for massive crowds at various points along the circuit.

The interest has also seen the exhibition track extended, with the Buenos Aires City government announcing nearly 900 meters of additional course to improve traffic flow and accommodate a larger number of spectators.

Colapinto’s car is on the way

On Thursday, Alpine F1 released footage showing the car Colapinto will drive in the exhibition being prepared for the trip to Buenos Aires.

The video, which became the second-most-liked post on the team’s Instagram page since the last race, showed the French team’s preparation and commented: “We’ve got a special delivery to Buenos Aires.”

The car Colapinto will use is a Lotus E20 from 2012, named as such as it hails from the days when the team raced under the Lotus Renault tag. However, it has been painted with Alpine F1’s current colors and sponsors to more closely resemble the car Colapinto regularly uses.

The E20 is powered by a naturally aspirated, 2.4-liter Renault V8 engine, producing close to 750 horsepower and revving up to 18,000rpm. It’s a long way from the current cars raced by Alpine, which feature a hybrid, 1.6-liter V6 engine by Mercedes.

However, it was quite a successful car for its time. Driven by 2007 World Drivers’ champion Kimi Raikkonen from Finland and Frenchman Romain Grosjean, it raced the twenty races of the 2012 season, recording a win in Abu Dhabi, and nine podium finishes to end fourth overall in the World Constructors’ Championship.

© Buenos Aires Herald