With two races left in the 2024 season, let’s look back at Franco Colapinto’s journey in Formula 1, from his debut at Monza to the Las Vegas Grand Prix last week.
Since the Italian Grand Prix, one name has started to echo through the Formula 1 paddock corridors: a name that represents fresh talent, capable of bringing a breeze of novelty to the grid and, right from the start, scoring more points than his predecessor, Logan Sargeant – who was abruptly dismissed by James Vowles just days before the Monza race.
Like every driver who comes from karting, Franco Colapinto has always kept the ultimate goal, Formula 1, in mind because “you never know when the call might come, you have to be ready.” That’s how he has always answered journalists, once his dream became reality, even though a deadline weighed on his shoulders. In fact, 2024 brought an unexpectedly awaited surprise for the Buenos Aires-born driver: having started the season in motorsport as a Formula 2 driver, he is now finishing the year as a full-time driver for the Williams Formula 1 team, quickly making his mark.
In seven races, Colapinto managed to make up an average of 4.5 positions compared to his qualifying results (the statistic excludes the DNF during the Brazilian Grand Prix). In his second weekend in the premier category, in Baku, Franco Colapinto made it into Q3, qualifying in ninth place ahead of his new teammate Alex Albon by +0.329 seconds. In the race, he gained another position, finishing within the points.
During the Las Vegas Grand Prix, his seventh race weekend in Formula 1, he made an impact: after starting from the pit lane due to an incident in qualifying that destroyed his car, Colapinto climbed up to 14th place after the Williams mechanics replaced parts beyond the limits allowed by the Federation.
Between the successes in Azerbaijan and Las Vegas, there’s a negative note: the Brazilian Grand Prix. Under the rain that caused disruptions at the Interlagos circuit, the Argentine driver couldn’t finish the race after hitting the wall halfway through. However, he had already fought with the veteran, seven-time world champion, Lewis Hamilton. Another dark tone seemed to be the ongoing weekend, the Qatar Grand Prix, where Colapinto will start from second to last on the grid.
And, speaking of his relationship with the Mercedes driver (at least until his move to Maranello at the end of the season), Colapinto told Sky Sports F1 Italy: “He’s still an idol. I used to watch him when I was young, I watched his races with Fernando Alonso. He’s always been a reference for the future, and now having the chance to race with him, to fight in Baku, is something I never thought I would achieve. Having the chance to race with him, and with Max, with those who have made the history of F1, is something really special for me: it’s an opportunity that pushes me to go even harder .”
“I’ve always followed Max, he’s a young driver who’s brought something new to F1. He has talent, and I’ve followed him closely since karting, and when he came into Formula 1, he showed everything he could do. For me, Max is now the best in F1, and he’s proven it over the years. This fourth title shows a lot, even though since mid-year he hasn’t had the best car ,” the 21-year-old driver added, expressing admiration for Max Verstappen, who clinched his fourth world title just a week ago in Sin City.
Colapinto Mania, But Not Only in Argentina
It’s not just his on-track performances that are making waves, but also his Latin charisma and the support of an entire nation that can finally cheer for one of their own – the first South American to wave the Argentine flag in F1 since Carlos Reutemann, the last Argentine to retire from Formula 1 in 1982.
In an interview with Italian journalist Mara Sangiorgio for Sky Sports F1, Franco Colapinto explained the reason behind the warmth he’s receiving from both his home country and around the world: “I think Formula 1 was missing a driver who says exactly what he wants. Everything now is like in a bubble, but I am who I am, I haven’t changed anything to be in Formula 1, I’m the same person as before. Maybe I should change! “.
The rookie driver for James Vowles’ team isn’t the only one. This season, alongside the legends of contemporary Formula 1, Oliver Bearman and Liam Lawson also had the chance to experience the atmosphere of F1, already proving themselves capable of competing with drivers with far more experience.
Colapinto’s response on this was: “I don’t think we have many opportunities. But when there is one, you have to do everything, you have to push and take risks. I feel that all the guys coming into Formula 1 are eager to show what they have inside, what they can do. It’s a great opportunity I’ve had this year, and so have the other drivers. I think Formula 1 is changing, for the better, I believe “.
Photos: Williams Racing.