Argentinian President Javier Milei and FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem open FIA American Congress in Buenos Aires

• During their meeting, the two Presidents discussed the future of mobility and motorsport in Argentina and across the Americas

Dubai, UAE, 1^st September, 2026:  The President of Argentina, Javier Milei, and FIA President H.E. Mohammed Ben Sulayem have officially opened the 2026 FIA American Congress in Buenos Aires, bringing together FIA Member Clubs from across the Americas to advance the future of mobility and motor sport.

President Milei joined President Ben Sulayem and representatives from 32 FIA Member Clubs from North, Central and South America and the Caribbean at the opening of the three-day Congress, hosted by the Automóvil Club Argentino (ACA).

Ahead of the opening yesterday (Monday), President Ben Sulayem met with President Milei, with discussions focused on the opportunities to strengthen cooperation between the FIA and Argentina across both mobility and motorsport.

The two Presidents discussed Argentina’s ambitions for the continued growth of motorsport, including Formula One and the FIA’s five other World Championships, building on a proud racing heritage and passionate fanbase.

They also discussed the rapidly changing mobility landscape and the importance of collaboration between governments, FIA Member Clubs and industry to deliver safer, more accessible and more sustainable transport for road users.

The meeting continued a series of high-level engagements by the FIA President across South America, following meetings with President José Antonio Kast of Chile and President Santiago Peña of Paraguay in recent days, as the Federation works with governments and its Member Clubs to grow motorsport and strengthen mobility across the region.

Opening the Congress, the President of Argentina Javier Milei said: “The Argentine Automobile Club has made an enormous contribution to national motorsport, and Argentina is a country that loves cars. The Argentine passion for racing is timeless. 

“That is why I invite you to dream with me. Argentina has all the conditions necessary to once again welcome Formula One and the World Rally Championship onto its calendar. We have the tradition. We have the drivers. And now we are once again developing the institutional seriousness that these categories demand before choosing a country. We have absolutely everything.

“It is time to accelerate at full speed in this direction, and I invite you to make this [FIA American] Congress the first step towards that return. Because at the end of the day, the freedom to move, to choose the car you drive, the route you take and the destination you want to reach is one of the most concrete and everyday expressions of freedom.

“Today, we welcome you with those same roads, more open than ever, and with the same conviction that anyone who wants to move, compete or build in Argentina should be able to do so in freedom. Let us move forward together at full speed to turn this dream into reality.”

FIA President H.E. Mohammed Ben Sulayem said: “It was an honour to meet with President Milei and to open the FIA American Congress together here in Buenos Aires. Argentina has an extraordinary history in motor sport and a passionate community of fans, competitors and volunteers. 

“We discussed how we can build on that heritage, create new opportunities for the next generation and support Argentina’s ambition to bring more international motor sport to the country.

“Across mobility too, this is a region undergoing significant change. Our Member Clubs are at the heart of that transformation, and this Congress is about bringing their knowledge together, sharing solutions and ensuring the FIA continues to deliver for road users and motor sport communities across the Americas.”

The Congress is being hosted by the Automóvil Club Argentino, one of the FIA’s long-standing Member Clubs with over 122 years of operations in the country, playing a central role in the development of both mobility and motor sport across Argentina.

The three-day FIA American Congress is providing a platform for FIA Member Clubs to share expertise and develop solutions around some of the biggest opportunities and challenges facing motorsport and mobility across the region.

Argentina provides a fitting backdrop. Motorsport is deeply embedded in the country’s culture, from five-time FIA Formula One World Champion Juan Manuel Fangio to current Formula One driver Franco Colapinto and the country’s thriving national competition scene across touring cars, rallying, karting and single-seaters.

Alongside its sporting heritage, Argentina is one of Latin America’s most significant mobility markets, with more than 15 million vehicles, an extensive road network and a major domestic automotive industry.

About the FIA

The Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) is the governing body for world motor sport and the federation for mobility organisations globally. It is a non-profit organisation committed to driving innovation and championing safety, sustainability and equality across motor sport and mobility.

Founded in 1904, with offices in Paris, London and Geneva, the FIA brings together 246 Member Organisations across five continents, representing millions of road users, motor sport professionals and volunteers. It develops and enforces regulations for motor sport, including seven FIA World Championships, to ensure worldwide competitions are safe and fair for all.