Franco Colapinto, a 21-year-old driver from Argentina, has been announced by Williams as their driver for the remainder of the 2024 Formula 1 season. This marks a significant moment as he will be the first Argentine to compete in F1 in over two decades.
Colapinto expressed his excitement, stating, “It is an honor to be making my Formula 1 debut with Williams. This is what dreams are made of.” He acknowledged the team’s storied history and their goal of returning to the top of the sport.
He is set to take the place of Logan Sargeant, who is one of three drivers yet to score points this season, and will team up with the lead driver, Alex Albon.
The young driver is prepared for the challenges of entering F1 mid-season, emphasizing his commitment to collaborate closely with Albon and the team to succeed.
In May, Colapinto made history by becoming the first Argentine since Gastón Mazzacane in 2001 to participate in a Formula 1 event, having driven in Free Practice 1 at the 2024 British Grand Prix. This was only his second experience in an F1 car, following a “Rookie Test” in Abu Dhabi in November.
Team principal James Vowles stated that the decision to bring Colapinto on board aimed to provide the team with the best opportunity to secure points for the remainder of the season. He noted Colapinto’s considerable speed and potential, showing the team’s commitment to nurturing young talent through the Williams Racing Driver Academy, which Colapinto joined in January 2023.
Currently sixth in the Formula 2 championship, Colapinto is the second-ever Argentine to race for Williams, following Carlos Reutemann, who competed for the team from 1980 to 1982 and was a championship runner-up in 1981.
The last Argentine to participate in F1 was Gastón Mazzacane in 2001. To date, a total of 25 Argentine drivers have competed in the sport, with the legendary Juan Manuel Fangio being the most successful, having won the championship five times.
Colapinto’s journey to F1 has been marked by early passion for racing, starting with a quad bike gifted by his father when he was four. He began karting at age 10 and moved to Italy in 2013 to compete in European karting circuits. His breakthrough came in 2018 with a strong performance in the Spanish Formula 4 series.
After progressing through the ranks to Formula 3 and then earning a spot in Formula 2 for 2024, Colapinto has gained the support of several major Argentine brands, including YPF and tech company Globant, which signed a sponsorship deal in 2023. Notably, he has also formed a collaboration with music producer Bizarrap, who designed a helmet for him, and the two have fostered a friendship.
Colapinto will make his F1 debut at the upcoming Italian Grand Prix at the Autodromo Nazionale Monza. The action begins with free practice sessions on Friday at 8:30 a.m. Argentina time, followed by further practices on Saturday and the race on Sunday at 10 a.m. The event will be aired on ESPN and the streaming service Disney+.