On March 9, 1952 after the suggestion of the pilots Juan Manuel Fangio, José Froilán González and Domingo Marimón to the then President of the Nation, Juan Domingo Perón, the “Autodromo 17 de 0ctubre” was built, in what was one of the most important works of the time.
For the great opening date, a test date was held in which several races were held, which became known as “Special Cars”, in one of them where Juan Manuel Fangio was crowned the first winner.
The “Chueco”, with a Ferrari 166 FL and on circuit 4 of the Buenos Aires route, would win the “Copa Perón”, in Fuerza Libre, one of the tests that took place that Sunday, March 9, 1953.
“Home” of Road Tourism and F1
The TC, the most important category of motor sport in Argentina, had its baptism on “October 17” and it was on May 24, 1952, where a Ford was the first winner, led by Oscar Gálvez.
While the last one, played on March 7, 2021, was obtained by José Manuel Urcera (Chevrolet).
The work carried out on the layout and the possibility of having major events at that time in the country made Formula 1 arrive in Argentina for the first time, where the Buenos Aires circuit would house the highest category of motorsports.
In fact, it was the first race to be held outside the European continent, where the category usually took place.
That was how in 1953, in the first race for the F1 championship, he had the Italian Alberto Ascari -in command of his Ferrari- as the winner in a race held on Circuit 2.
The Italian was followed in the positions by his teammate and compatriot, Luigi Veronesi, while in third place he was
José Froilán González, aboard a Maserati. In fifth position appeared Oscar Gálvez, also with Maserati.
With 21 Grand Prix disputed, the last Formula 1 winner in Buenos Aires was the German Michael Schumacher, aboard Ferrari, who in 1998 won the race, in which the Finnish Mika Hakkinen finished second, with McLaren-Mercedes, and in third place Irishman Eddie Irvine, with Ferrari. The race was held on Circuit 6 of Oscar and Juan Gálvez.
names and circuits
In its 50 years of history, “The Cathedral” had different names until it reached what is now known as Oscar and Juan Gálvez, the one in which the Dutchman Johannes Hugenholtz collaborated, who had created the Zandvoort track in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
In 1952 it was baptized as “October 17”, in 1976 its name changed to “General San Martín”, a name that would change with the birth of democracy in Argentina and was renamed as “Municipal of the City of Buenos Aires”.
In 1989 the name change led to “Oscar Gálvez”, while since the 2005/06 season the Buenos Aires racetrack is called “Oscar y Juan Gálvez”
The history of the tracks of the autodrome throughout its 50 years had 10 and to date 3 have ceased to be used.
Finally, the Moto GP, the most important in this category, was also hosted by the Autodromo Oscar and Juan Galvez with 11 races between 1960 and 1999.
