Williams has introduced that F1 winner Franco Colapinto will make his official F1 debut at this week’s British Grand Prix when he takes over Logan Sargeant’s automotive in Friday’s opening follow at Silverstone.
The proficient 21-year-old Argentine, a member of the Williams Racing Driver Academy programme, is presently fifth within the FIA F2 Championship standings after a robust begin to his rookie season.
Colapinto has been a rising star within the feeder sequence this 12 months. The MP Motorsport driver’s spectacular marketing campaign features a victory in Imola, podium finishes within the Barcelona and Austria function races, and 4 extra point-scoring ends in the sequence.
This sturdy efficiency follows a profitable 12 months within the FIA F3 Championship, the place he secured two race wins (together with one at Silverstone), three podiums, and a complete of 14 factors finishes, which positioned him fourth within the general driver standings.
Subsequent Friday’s FP1 session will mark Franco’s debut in a Grand Prix weekend, nevertheless it will not be his first time behind the wheel of an F1 automotive. Final 12 months, he participated within the Abu Dhabi younger driver check with Williams.
“I’ve so many feelings. I’m extraordinarily delighted and it’s an important second in my life and my profession,” commented Colapinto.
“I would be the most ready I can; I can be doing a variety of laps within the simulator and learning the main points wanted to drive this 12 months’s automotive.
“I’m actually wanting ahead to experiencing the brand new automotive after driving final 12 months’s in Abu Dhabi. To have the ability to drive it at a observe like Silverstone is a privilege, it’s one in all my favorite tracks and to drive it on the crew’s dwelling race means lots.
“To all of the Argentine followers – I hope you get pleasure from FP1 as a lot as I’m going to! It’s an necessary second for our nation and I’m so grateful for all of the help I’ve been given.
“I’m going to provide my all to make you proud!” concluded the younger man who’s making an attempt to following within the footsteps of Argentine F1 legends Juan Manuel Fangio and Carlos Reutemann.
Williams sporting director Sven Smeets added: “Franco has had a really encouraging begin to his debut season in F2 and we’re delighted to reward his performances over the previous two years along with his first FP1 session.
“We’re pleased with our proficient group of drivers within the Williams Racing Driver Academy and it’s important for us to provide them the chance to progress and have these necessary possibilities as they transfer up the ladder.
“To showcase our expertise at our dwelling race at Silverstone is a pleasant second and, after all, that is going to be an awesome day for the Argentine F1 followers.”
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