When he pilots Logan Sargeant’s Williams in the first practice for the British Grand Prix, Argentine F2 racer Franco Colapinto will drive in his first Formula 1 racing weekend.
Franco Colapinto, the 21-year-old Williams Driver Academy racer, is set to make his FP1 debut at Silverstone, continuing his impressive rookie season in F2. Colapinto, who has already secured one win and two podiums in the last five rounds, currently sits fifth in the F2 standings.
Sharing the garage with Alex Albon, Colapinto will juggle his F2 duties on the same race weekend. This will be his second time driving Formula 1 machinery, following his participation in last year’s young driver test in Abu Dhabi. The opportunity is part of the requirement for every team to run a young driver in FP1 at least twice during the season.
Colapinto’s FP1 run at Silverstone holds special significance, as he follows in the footsteps of fellow Argentine racing legends Juan Manuel Fangio and Carlos Reutemann. He has fond memories of the track, having won the Sprint race there last year in F3, which contributed to his fourth-place finish in the drivers’ championship.
Expressing his excitement, Colapinto said, “I have so many emotions. This is a very important moment in my life and career. I will be the most prepared I can, doing a lot of laps in the simulator and studying the details needed to drive this year’s car. Driving at Silverstone, one of my favorite tracks, during the team’s home race means a lot. To all the Argentine fans, I hope you enjoy FP1 as much as I will. It’s an important moment for our country, and I’m grateful for all the support. I’m going to give my all to make you proud.”
Williams Sporting Director Sven Smeets added, “Franco has had a very encouraging start to his debut season in F2, and we are delighted to reward his performances with his first FP1 session. We are proud of our talented group of drivers in the Williams Racing Driver Academy, and it is important for us to give them these opportunities as they move up the ladder. Showcasing our talent at our home race at Silverstone is a great moment for Argentine F1 fans.”
Colapinto’s FP1 debut at Silverstone promises to be a significant milestone in his career, highlighting his progress and the support from his team and fans.
