Williams ended its partnership with Logan Sargeant on Tuesday evening. After his poor performances in the first half of the season and a crash during the race weekend in Zandvoort, team boss James Vowles saw no other option than to fire the 23-year-old American. Sargeant will be replaced by Franco Colapinto from the upcoming race weekend in Monza. Who is this young Argentinian?
READ ALSO: Official: Logan Sargeant sacked, Franco Colapinto takes over at Monza
Franco Colapinto, 21, was born in Pilar, Argentina, in 2003. He first got into a kart when he was nine years old. He quickly achieved success, becoming Argentine champion twice. At the end of 2018, he started his Formula career in Spanish F4, winning the title just one year later. In 2020 and 2021, he was given time to further develop his talents, before making the leap to Formula 3.
With the Dutch Van Amersfoort Racing, Franco Colapinto broke through in Formula 3 in 2022. In his first qualifying session, the young Argentinian immediately drove the fastest lap time. Two victories and five podium places later, he was allowed to move up to Formula 2 in 2023. In this class he joined MP Motorsport, another Dutch team. In his rookie season, he finished in sixth place in the championship thanks to one victory. It earned him a place in the training program of Williams.
In the current Formula 2 season, Colapinto is doing well again. The Argentinean regularly finished in the points and has already been on the podium several times. Now that he has been signed by Williams, he ends his season in sixth place in the championship.
Historic debut
Colapinto immediately makes history with his debut. The rich history of Formula 1 has twenty-five Argentine drivers, including the legendary world champion Juan Manuel Fangio. However, it has been a while since an Argentine competed in the premier class; Gastón Mazzacane was the last F1 driver from the South American country in 2001. Franco Colapinto has of course driven free practice with Williams, but has never been a regular driver during a Grand Prix weekend.
Read all about the Italian GP in Monza here
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