Argentine Franco Colapinto to race in Formula 1 for Williams

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Buenos Aires.-Argentina will once again have a driver in Formula 1 after 23 years. The decision taken by Williams on Tuesday opened a door that until a few hours ago was unthinkable.

The Grove-based team confirmed the dismissal of Logan Sargeant with nine races left until that seat is occupied by Carlos Sainz Jr. (who will arrive in 2025) and now they have found a replacement to accompany Alexander Albon until the new season begins with the current Ferrari driver as the star: the Argentine Franco Colapinto is the chosen one to close out the remainder of 2024 and will use the number 43.

Colapinto will thus make his debut in the Williams seat on September 1st at the Italian Grand Prix, at the Monza circuit, and will become the 26th Argentine driver to participate in F1 in history. He will also break a streak of more than two decades without Argentine drivers in the top category of world motor racing, since the last one was Gastón Mazzacane, in 2001. In addition, he will be the second Argentine to drive for the British team, after his compatriot Carlos Reutemann.

After 13 hours in Argentina, Williams made the official announcement on their social networks. “Franco Colapinto will compete for the remainder of the 2024 season,” they wrote with the photo of the Pilar native. The Buenos Aires driver “is a member of the Williams Racing Driver Academy and made his FP1 debut in this year’s FW46 at the British Grand Prix. His F2 campaign this year has led to a victory at Imola and podiums at the Barcelona and Austria races, as well as seven other points. He will become the 49th Grand Prix driver for Williams Racing,” the British team reported.

Williams also had a few words for the outgoing driver. “The team would like to take this opportunity to thank Logan Sargeant for his hard work and contribution over the past two seasons. He has competed in 36 Grands Prix and, at last year’s US GP, became the first American driver to score a point in F1 since Michael Andretti 30 years earlier. Logan will remain in the Williams family and we will support him as he continues his racing career.”

Speaking to the British team’s official website, Colapinto expressed his feelings after being confirmed as an official driver in the top category. “It’s an honour to make my debut in Formula 1 with Williams. The team has an incredible history and a mission to return to the front that I can’t wait to be a part of.”

“Coming into F1 mid-season will be a huge learning curve, but I am up for the challenge and I am fully focused on working as hard as I can with Alex and the team to make it a success,” continued the Buenos Aires native.

Team Principal James Vowles commented: “Replacing a driver mid-season is not a decision we have taken lightly, but we believe this gives Williams the best chance of challenging for points over the remainder of the season. We have just introduced a major upgrade to the car and need to maximise every opportunity to score points in a tight midfield battle. We also believe in investing in our young drivers at the Williams Racing Driver Academy and Franco is being given a fantastic opportunity to show what he is capable of over the final nine rounds of the season.”

“This is undoubtedly incredibly tough for Logan, who has given his all throughout his time with Williams, and we want to thank him for all his hard work and positive attitude. Logan remains a talented driver and we will support him to continue his career in the future. I know Franco has great speed and huge potential, and we look forward to seeing what he can do in Formula 1.”

While Sargeant knew he wouldn’t have a place in 2025, the idea was to have him finish as part of the team in this series despite the usual criticism from Williams boss James Vowles for his poor form. However, what precipitated the move was a mistake the 23-year-old American made in Saturday’s third practice at the Dutch circuit of Zandvoort: he wrecked his car and they couldn’t repair it to qualify for that same day. And the rumours were rife…

Word quickly began to spread around the paddock that the British team would immediately dispense with Sargeant, who managed to race in the Netherlands and finished 16th. The decision had to be taken quickly because the Italian Grand Prix at the legendary Monza circuit will begin its practices this Friday, August 30.

Logan made his debut in F1 last year, where he earned his only official point in the championship after finishing 10th in his home country at the United States Grand Prix. But beyond his overall performances, there is one fact that puts the analysis of his level in jeopardy: he never finished better than his teammate Albon, counting the races in which both crossed the finish line. To make matters worse this year, the Thai driver earned the team’s only four points with two ninth places and Sargeant barely managed an 11th as his best position, although overall he was seen finishing 20th twice, 19th once and 17th five times as his most common results.

Franco Colapinto began his karting career at an early age, competing in national and international categories. His performances at this stage opened the doors for him to make the jump to single-seaters and emigrate to Europe. The native of Pilar made his debut in 2018 in the Spanish Formula 4 Championship and was crowned champion with the Drivex School team in 2019.

In 2020, Colapinto took a step up to higher categories by joining the Formula Renault Eurocup. During the season, he achieved three victories and podiums, positioning himself as one of the most promising drivers, reaching third place in the 2020 championship. A year later, Franco debuted in Formula 3, one of the categories leading up to Formula 1, and represented teams such as MP Motorsport and Van Amersfoort Racing. In this stage, the Pilar native has achieved victories and podiums, consolidating himself as one of the most promising drivers.

In addition to his single-seater career, Colapinto participated in endurance races, including the 24 Hours of Le Mans in the LMP2 category. This experience has allowed him to diversify his skills and be considered a versatile driver.

Beyond this historic participation in the nine F1 races remaining this year, looking ahead to 2025 the idea is to continue in Formula 2 with MP Motorsport because the driver feels confident after the experience gained this season. The Dallara team fielded by the Dutch team proved to be competitive and Colapinto is very comfortable with the team members whom he has known since 2021 in the European Regional Formula.

Franco is sixth in the championship of the F1 junior category after a win at Imola and two second places in Spain and Austria. Every time his car was competitive he knew how to capitalise on it. He is the third best rookie in the specialty so far this season behind Gabriel Bortoleto and Paul Aron. Although he will now leave the junior division to race in the top category for the remainder of 2024.

“Williams Racing announces that Franco Colapinto will race with the team for the remainder of the 2024 FIA Formula One World Championship season and will compete from the Italian Grand Prix alongside Alex Albon. He will use the race number #43.

Franco is a member of the Williams Racing Driver Academy and made his FP1 debut in this year’s FW46 at the British Grand Prix. His F2 campaign this year has seen him take a win at Imola and podium finishes at the Barcelona and Austria races, as well as a further seven points.

The 21-year-old will become Williams Racing’s 49th Grand Prix driver, the first Argentine driver in F1 for 23 years and the second Argentine to drive for the British team, after his compatriot Carlos Reutemann.

The team would like to take this opportunity to thank Logan Sargeant for his hard work and contribution over the past two seasons. He has competed in 36 Grands Prix and, at last year’s US GP, became the first American driver to score a point in F1 since Michael Andretti 30 years earlier. Logan will remain in the Williams family and we will support him as he continues his racing career.”Infobae.