Autódromo Internacional da Patagonia – Punta Arenas

When was the track built?

Opened in the 1971, it was first asphalted in the 1980s and it has been a recurrent appointment for touring cars, motorbike racing and national Formula 3 in the region.
It will become the most Southern Formula 1 circuit ever, just one thousand km North of Antarctica, and one of the most ambitious projects of the new Organization, a multilayout venue with an 8.5km main course, designed by me, inspired by the Autódromo Galvez in Buenos Aires.
As part of this, the original layouts, formerly part of the Autodromo Cabo Negro, will be renovated, adding a 5.4km track, a 4.2km short circuit and a 2.8km loop.
It will be carbon neutral thanks to the deployment of a solar farm in the port area nearby and green building technologies.
It is also expected to host the 24 hours of Antarctica, as part of the Le Mans Series, and many more International motorsport series.

When was its first Grand Prix?

It will be the first ever Formula 1 GP in this venue.
It is one of the three Chilean circuits in the database that will rotate for a spot in the Continental Series.

What’s the circuit like?

Inspired in the concept by the most famous Argentinian racetrack, it has been already referred to as “the Antarctic Le Mans” for its shape: similarly to the iconic French circuit it has two sectors with long straights and heavy braking chicanes and corners, followed by a final part which is also a section of the original Cabo Negro course, twistier and more technical.
Cars will be very light with aero set-ups, reducing drag and optimizing the top speeds; brakes will be under severe pressure.
Tecpro barriers are very close in the T3-T6 high-speed sequence and in the double fast chicanes T10-T13.
Complications are not limited to the layout: temperatures are normally around the 10°C, so warming quickly and constantly the compound will be one of the most important requirements.

Where is it located?

In Punta Arenas, the capital of Chile’s southernmost region, Magallanes and Antarctica Chilena; it is one of the five Antarctic gateway cities and of the southern most populous cities. It is connected though its airport, just 8km away from the circuit, to Santiago, which around three thousands kilometres North.  (- 52°57’53”, – 70°49’56”)