Williams Racing driver Franco Colapinto is enjoying his unexpected start to his Formula 1 career this year. At the beginning of 2024, Franco Colapinto was preparing for his first full campaign in Formula 2 after a late promotion from F3 with MP Motorsport in 2023. Colapinto was one of two drivers backed by Williams in F2 at the start of the year before Zak O’Sullivan had to withdraw from the series due to a lack of funding.
The young Argentinian had a very strong start to his campaign, winning the Sprint Race in Imola and adding another couple of podiums to his tally before being called upon to replace Logan Sargeant. While Colapinto looked like a quick but not world-class driver at the F2 level, he’s reached another level alongside Alex Albon. Photo by Manuel Velasquez/Getty Images for HeinekenHe’s already scored five points in his first five races and the timing of his promotion has allowed him to take part in the portion of the calendar on the other side of the Atlantic.
That means Colapinto’s growing fanbase has much easier access to his races and the Brazilian Grand Prix could be where his popularity peaks. Colapinto took to Instagram to thank the huge number of fans at the Mexico City Grand Prix who were supporting him. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Franco Colapinto (@francolapinto)View Instagram PostRed Bull driver Sergio Perez sent Colapinto a message and he may have taken some tips from the Mexican driver on how to deal with the clamour of being the most popular driver at a Grand Prix.
Colapinto has been warned he might need security in Brazil if he’s as in demand as many anticipate. Sergio Perez sends Franco Colapinto a message after the Mexico City Grand PrixColapinto was quick to thank the fans in Mexico for the support he received and said: “I never thought I would experience something like this in a race… thanks for all your support, you are unique! Long live Mexico!
”READ MORE: Everything to know about Williams driver Franco Colapinto with praise to statsIt was an incredible atmosphere with the stadium section towards the end of the lap creating one of the best atmospheres in Formula 1. While Lando Norris didn’t get the best reception from the crowd in Mexico, the Spanish-speaking drivers were especially popular with those in the crowd. Perez spotted Colapinto’s post on Instagram and said to the 21-year-old: “Dale boludo!
”, which translates to, “Come on, dude, let’s go! ”© 2024 INSTAGRAM FROM META. How Franco Colapinto and Sergio Perez’s F1 futures could be intertwinedColapinto is well aware that with just four race weekends to go, he needs to do everything he can to try and convince either Sauber or RB that he’s the right man for their vacant seats for the 2025 season.
The Argentinian isn’t confident that he’ll be able to nail down either of those positions, although Colapinto has been linked with a move to RB. The reason RB might need Colapinto despite just signing Liam Lawson is because Perez is underperforming. READ MORE: Red Bull driver Sergio Perez’s life outside F1 from net worth to nicknamePerez was miles off the pace in Mexico even before he sustained damage in a clash with Lawson.
He failed to get out of Q1 and he’s now more than 200 points behind Max Verstappen in the Drivers’ Championship. Perez is facing calls that he might not see out of the rest of the season, with Lawson a potential option to replace him. If that happens, then Colapinto is the best option available to RB to step into his seat in 2025.
