Franco Colapinto (21, Pilar, Buenos Aires) has become the first driver to emerge from the F4 Spanish Championship, after his title in 2019, to reach the pinnacle of motorsport: Formula 1.
The Argentine driver has been chosen by Williams Racing to replace Logan Sargeant until the end of the season, starting with the Italian Grand Prix (September 1, 2024).
Nine Grand Prix for Franco Colapinto
With the 2025 F1 grid practically closed, Colapinto will have nine Grand Prix ahead of him to showcase his talent with the British team, which placed its bet on him in 2022 by making him a member of their young driver academy. He recently made his debut at the wheel of the FW46 during Free Practice 1 at the British Grand Prix.
Argentina hasn’t had a driver in the category since 2001, with Gaston Mazacane. To find the last Argentine to stand on the top step of the podium, one has to go back to Carlos Reutemann, who also drove for Williams.
Franco Colapinto hasn’t had an easy path to reach Formula 1, but in every opportunity, he has caught the attention of those most knowledgeable in motorsport.
He debuted in single-seaters with a wildcard entry alongside Drivex in 2018, participating in the final round of that F4 Spanish Championship’s season as preparation for his first full year in 2019.
That season was historic for Drivex, Fernando Alonso’s FA Academy, and the Argentine driver, as they clinched both titles with 11 wins, 13 podiums, 10 poles and 10 fastest laps for the young talent from Buenos Aires.
Since then, he hasn’t stopped growing, both in single-seaters and prototypes (LMP2), even racing in the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
A race winner in the two tiers below the big league (F3 and F2), Colapinto is ready for a new challenge in his racing career and to fulfill the dream that many young drivers, like him, pursue starting in the F4 Spanish Championship.
This is what dreams are made of
“It’s an honor to debut in Formula 1 with Williams. This is what dreams are made of. The team has an incredible history and a mission to accomplish: to return to the front, something I can’t wait to be part of. Joining F1 mid-season will be a huge learning experience, but I am ready 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,” said Franco Colapinto.
