Franco Colapinto will try out for Williams during the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
Franco Colapinto, a young Argentine driver from Williams, will be testing in the free practice sessions of the Abu Dhabi Formula 1 Grand Prix at the Yas Marina circuit. After a successful season in Formula 3 with MP Motorsport, the Argentine driver will make his debut behind the wheel of the FW45. As a reminder, the last Argentine driver to have driven a Formula 1 car was Gastón Mazzacane, with Prost Acer, in 2001.
Franco Colapinto will make his debut in Formula 1 during the free practice sessions, on the Yas Marina circuit in Abu Dhabi. Born in Pilar, Argentina and at the age of 20, he has just raced for two seasons in Formula 3, where he has proven that he has the talent and level to make the leap. The Argentine driver will share the Williams FW45 with British driver Zak O’Sullivan, who will participate in the first day of the Abu Dhabi race.
« I am extremely grateful to Williams Racing for giving me the opportunity to drive an F1 car in my first year in the Academy. […] I have dreamed of this day since I was a child and I have worked very hard for it. Having this chance at the official young drivers’ test is a true honor. “Thank you to the team for entrusting me with the FW45,” he said.
Colapinto finished fourth in the F3 standings, just nine points behind O’Sullivan, after joining the Williams academy at the beginning of the year. The Abu Dhabi tests will be his first involvement in F1 and will follow his debut in F2 during the season finale with MP Motorsport, with whom he has also signed for next season.
Being part of the Academy this year has opened my eyes to many different areas and I feel ready to take this step. I can’t wait.
