Franco Colapinto: the luxury rookie in search of a future in F1

After the Dutch Grand Prix at the end of August, Williams made a radical decision regarding their driver Logan Sargeant: the American was ousted with immediate effect, in the middle of the season. While there were many options available for the Grove team, their attention turned to Franco Colapinto. And it’s safe to say that this decision has sparked a lot of discussion. Fourth in the 2023 Formula 3 championship and without a full season in Formula 2, the Argentine offered almost no guarantees of making it to Formula 1, even with a sprint race victory and two podium finishes. However, Williams trusted Colapinto, a product of the American team’s academy. After three Grand Prix races, the bet is paying off so far: the rookie has already scored his first points in Formula 1 with an eighth place in Azerbaijan.

Very promising beginnings

During the Italian Grand Prix at Monza, Franco Colapinto was joining a team in reconstruction, with complicated performances, and especially alongside a performing Alexander Albon. Nothing seemed easy and yet, even if the Argentinian did not enter the points, he did not just make up the numbers, far from it. However, Nyck de Vries had also made a strong impression at Monza in 2022, which had allowed him to secure a seat at AlphaTauri for 2023. And the rest is history. So, for Franco Colapinto, it was necessary to wait and see on another track.

Fifteen days later, Formula 1 unpacks its bags in Baku, Azerbaijan. An opportunity for Colapinto to confirm his promising arrival in Formula 1. However, his weekend starts badly: attacking right from the start, he smashes his car in the first free practice session. Everyone is taken aback, including the driver himself, who admits to a rookie mistake. Yet, this mistake doesn’t seem to destabilize him. He keeps pushing and approaching the track limits. By finishing ninth in qualifying, he is in a very good position to score points in the race. During the Grand Prix, he holds the tenth position, just behind his teammate, when Perez and Sainz collide. Benefiting from the accident, he then finishes eighth and scores four points, the first of his career. The Argentine has impressed and even receives congratulations from the seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton after the Grand Prix. A definitely winning choice for Williams, who savors it, just like Colapinto.

Singapore: the ultimate challenge

In the heart of the stifling streets of Singapore, the Argentine driver was about to discover the sufferings of a weekend where drivers lose more than four kilos and drive in a cockpit approaching sixty degrees. There is nothing more complicated than the Singapore Grand Prix for a rookie. On the Marina Bay street circuit, it is also necessary to avoid any contact with the wall, under penalty of condemning the race weekend.

However, once again, Franco Colapinto is on the attack from the first free practice session. The same session where, a week earlier, he had made the mistake of sending his Williams into the wall. But now, his baptism on an urban circuit has already been completed, this time, no more touching the wall, Colapinto will flirt with it.

Twelfth in qualifying, the task was going to be complicated for the rookie. In the race, he tries to catch up with the drivers in front of him to get points. Until the end, he battles with his single-seater and himself but collides with Perez at the entrance of the top 10. Too complicated, he crosses the finish line at the door of the points, in eleventh position, after a grueling Grand Prix. On the radio, he tells his engineer that he cannot speak to conserve energy, while ensuring that he tried but it was difficult to keep up with the cars ahead. A challenging Grand Prix but full of learning experiences for the rookie. For a first race in Singapore and after only two Grand Prix races, he delivered a clean race with a high pace that allowed him to stay attached to Perez until the end. Far from being ridiculous, rather impressive.

Without a contract for 2025, what are the solutions?

No one expected such competitiveness from a rookie with no real references in the lower categories. However, Franco Colapinto has adapted perfectly to Formula 1 and showed his pace right away. Williams succeeded in their bet but unfortunately for the Argentine, he will have to leave the team at the end of the season and make way for Carlos Sainz, who was recruited several weeks ago to become Alexander Albon’s new teammate. Stuck, the director of the Grove team, James Vowles, now wishes to find a race seat for his young driver.

Nevertheless, for the 2025 season, this seems compromised. The only remaining seat is at Sauber, the team that will become Audi in 2026. While James Vowles is doing everything possible for Franco Colapinto to join this team next year, other drivers are also under consideration by the management led by Mattia Binotto. These include Valtteri Bottas, Gabriel Bortoleto, and Théo Pourchaire. However, there is one factor that could work in favor of the Argentine: he will have competed in nine Grand Prix races by the end of the season. This is a definite advantage compared to Bortoleto and Pourchaire, who have not raced in Formula 1 yet. Furthermore, if he manages to demonstrate competitiveness as he has done so far, he could potentially outperform a clearly declining Bottas this year. However, rumors suggest that the Finn is close to reaching an agreement to become Nico Hülkenberg’s teammate, thus closing the door to other drivers.

2025 will be the year of the rookies with the arrival of Bearman at Haas, Doohan at Alpine, and Antonelli at Mercedes. It would be unfair for Colapinto not to be part of it, and yet, this seems to be what is looming. Formula 1 is the pinnacle of motor racing, and there is only room for twenty drivers. Talent is no longer enough; you have to be in the right place at the right time. Franco Colapinto has boarded the train but will likely be forced to get off along the way. This does not mean he will never have another opportunity after 2025; on the contrary, he is proving that he deserves his place in the top category. Formula 1 also requires patience, and sometimes you have to bide your time. For the remaining six Grand Prix races, Franco Colapinto should not dwell too much on questions. He must push hard, show himself, but above all, keep believing.