COLAPİNTO: “BEING FAST WAS EXPECTED OF ME”

Franco Colapinto, the new driver for Williams, spoke with Autosport about his rapid rise in Formula 1.

Since his unexpected entry into Formula 1 at Monza, Colapinto has surprised fans with his impressive performances for Williams. However, he isn’t as surprised as others might think. Colapinto took over the seat from Logan Sargeant, who had been struggling since the Italian Grand Prix in September. There was much speculation about whether the Argentine Formula 2 driver was ready and whether team principal James Vowles was willing to take a risk on a rookie.

After three races, journalists asked Vowles why he hadn’t brought Colapinto in sooner, indicating just how much impact the rookie has had in his short time. He continued his promising debut performance in Italy with his first points in Baku and another solid drive in Singapore.

Despite his quick ascent, Colapinto has adapted well to F1 and doesn’t seem affected by the extra attention or surprised by his ability to keep pace with experienced teammate Alex Albon more than Sargeant could.

Speaking to Autosport in Singapore, Colapinto was relaxed and confident, saying, “I know what I’m capable of, and I expected to be fast. Even though I don’t have much experience with the car, the team’s confidence in me and putting me in the car is why I’m happy to help the team.”

Following Oliver Bearman’s impressive performance with Ferrari in Jeddah, Colapinto is the latest example of rookie drivers making an immediate impact, a phenomenon attributed to thousands of hours spent in high-tech simulators and being fully prepared as reserve drivers for their teams.

Reflecting on the learning process, Colapinto stated, “I think we’re doing a good job as a team. It’s a challenging process. There are many things you can change in the car. But every time I get on track, I learn more, adapt to the car a little better, and understand how to extract maximum performance.”

In an interview with Autosport at the Gulf Speed Festival in Sao Paulo, Albon expressed his admiration for how natural the F1 driver status seems to Colapinto. “Yes, he’s very fast and seems very comfortable as a driver. I think entering this sport feels very natural for him. Some drivers can be quite tense and a bit nervous, but he doesn’t seem to feel that way. He’s been quick right off the bat, even on challenging tracks.”

However, Colapinto acknowledges that his life turned upside down last month, as he reached his childhood dreams much earlier than he expected. “Yes, a lot has changed. Just a day before, I was still racing in F2. This was a huge step forward, and of course, it was a dream come true. I’m really enjoying this opportunity, and I know it will be challenging, but we’re doing a great job as a team to help me progress quickly. We’ve already scored points in our second race together. Working this well as a team feels like a dream.”

“Since I arrived in Formula 1, Alex has been very helpful. Having a reference like him, who is one of the best in qualifying, is really positive, and he has helped me take these steps much faster since I came to Monza. Having such a teammate is a great way to start.”

Colapinto’s F1 dream may be short-lived for now, as Carlos Sainz, who left Ferrari, will fill a seat until 2025 and beyond. Meanwhile, Vowles is still working to secure a spot for the young driver next year at Sauber, the last available seat on the grid for 2025. The 21-year-old Colapinto has six more races to prove his worth and enjoy this opportunity.

Colapinto, as a member of the Williams Academy, expresses his desire to stay with Williams long-term due to the close bonds he has formed and his gratitude for the opportunity given to him by team principal James Vowles.

Colapinto stated, “I have no idea what I will do next year. Of course, it’s very exciting that James wants to keep me in F1, and I’m grateful for that. There are many things to be aware of in F1 and a lot of challenging details. He helps me navigate all of that. He was the one who helped me achieve this dream.”

He added, “I want to stay at Williams; I love this team and the way it operates. I think it’s important to be grateful because they were the first ones to give me the opportunity to drive an F1 car.”

Colapinto mentioned, “I would love to have an opportunity with this team in the future. If not, I have no idea about options, but my A plan is to stay with the team. They have invested a lot in me since I was in the junior categories, and I am thankful for all of that.”

However, Colapinto has committed to focusing on the present rather than worrying about 2025. After all, this is the best way to repay Vowles and continue proving his worth in the paddock.

“I’m trying to do my best and focus on myself. The results have started to come, which is very positive, so let’s see what we can do in the next few races. I believe we have some good races ahead of us.”