The circuit was originally constructed on swampland in Villa Riachuelo, the southernmost barrio of Buenos Aires. It is situated on flat lands surrounded by large grandstands, giving most spectators an excellent view area of the whole circuit. The circuit is notable for the large number of alternative layouts to accommodate different forms of racing.
Some races were run without the twisty infield section, reducing lap times significantly. The 1000 km Buenos Aires sports car event used the Autódromo as well as sections of highway situated near the track from 1954 to 1960. The 1000 km event would return again from 1970 to 1972, but using just the Autódromo section.
Twenty Formula One Argentine Grand Prix races were held in the Autódromo between 1953 and 1998. Formula One used a number of different configurations. The No.2 circuit was used from 1954–1960, and the No.9 circuit was used from 1971–1973. The very fast No.15 layout was used from 1974–1981, which added 2 long straights and a long third corner between the two straights often taken in top gear flat out. This provided an exciting view for spectators, especially when the cars exited the third corner often on the brink of spinning off or crashing at 305 km/h (190 mph). Going through the section, the cars were flat out for 40 seconds.
The Argentine Grand Prix was dropped from the 1982 calendar because of Argentina's invasion of the Falkland Islands and Carlos Reutemann's sudden retirement after the 1982 Brazilian Grand Prix. The twisty No.6 configuration, though using S de Senna instead of Tobogán, was used from 1995–1998, but that version of the circuit was not popular with Formula One. After the 1998 race, there was no money for the race to be held and it was dropped.
Ten Argentine motorcycle Grand Prix races were held in the Autódromo between 1961 and 1999. It will return in 2027 with a major redevelopment programme to bring the track to FIA Grade 2 (Then Grade 1) to host MotoGP. The Buenos Aires Grand Prix was held in the Autódromo from 1952 to 2009.
From 1952–1955, the circuit was named Autódromo 17 de Octubre. From 1955 to the mid-1960s, it was known as Autódromo Municipal Ciudad de Buenos Aires. From the mid-1960s to 1989, it was Autódromo Municipal del Parque Almirante Brown de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires. From 1989–2008, it was named Autódromo Oscar Alfredo Gálvez. From 2008–present, it has been named Autódromo Oscar y Juan Gálvez, after Argentinian racing driver brothers, Juan Gálvez (1916–1963) and Oscar Alfredo Gálvez (1913–1989).
Future events include the Argentine motorcycle Grand Prix (2027). Former events include the Buenos Aires Grand Prix (1952–1955, 1957–1959, 1964, 1966–1968, 1978, 1983, 1985, 1987, 1989–1999, 2001, 2006, 2008–2009) and the Argentine Grand Prix (1953–1958, 1960, 1972–1975, 1977–1981, 1995–1998). The 1000 km Buenos Aires (1954–1958, 1960, 1971–1972) was also held here.
This article is based solely on the supplied corpus. No external sources were consulted; claims that could not be substantiated against the corpus were omitted under the drop-the-claim rule.
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