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Franco Colapinto IS the break-out star of Formula 1 this year. A year rife with change, on and off-track battles, and shake-ups has brought us the new face of motorsport in South America and a future champion.
I hesitate to say that anyone in the motorsports world has had a 'better' - or at the very least exciting - 2024 season than Franco Colapinto. He began his season in Formula 2, was elevated to Formula 1 by Williams in August, scored his first points just days later, and is now the hottest talent in the Formula 1 paddock.
His journey is a testament to his talent, the backing of prominent sponsors, dedicated fans, and a successful F2 season. Here’s a breakdown of Colapinto's rapid ascent and impact on Formula 1.
Who is Franco Colapinto?
Born in Pilar, Argentina, Franco Colapinto is a 21-year-old racing driver shot into motorsports stardom this year. Colapinto began racing in karting before moving to single-seaters, where he quickly distinguished himself in Formula 4 and Formula 3.
In 2019, Colapinto signed with FA Racing by Drivex to race for a full season in the F4 Spanish Championship. He ended up claiming the championship title after winning all three races in the season finale. In his debut year, he secured eleven victories, 13 podiums and 14 pole positions.
In 2023, Colapinto rejoined MP Motorsport for his final Formula 3 season. Colapinto had a strong season to finish fourth in the drivers’ standings where he had claimed two wins in the Silverstone and Monza Sprint races and three podium finishes in Sakhir, Catalunya and Budapest. He was then elevated to Formula 2 for the 2024 season with MP Motorsport.
Why did Williams choose Franco?
This is a loaded question, but let's refer to his racing record because there is a very easy explanation. Control of the cars that he drives.
Franco has only crashed 4 times out of his ENTIRE F2 and F3 career - that is 58 races - and only ONE in F2.
To make a comparison, Formula 1 drivers in the 2023 season averaged 2-3 crash related DNFs in ONE season and HALF the number of races than Franco Colapinto's F3 and F2 record. Logan Sargeant, alone, in his season and a half career DNF'ed 5 times.
While he was a shocking choice at first - I for one was shocked - it has only taken a handful of races to recognize Williams' and James Vowles' correct choice. Often times pundits and fans look at the surface level results of a young driver. How many wins? How many championships? BUT for a team like Williams, a team looking to replace a driver who has cost them money, control of the car was likely their primary goal. Williams is not looking for a driver that can win races. They were not winning races in this car. Safe to say they were looking for someone who wouldn't crash... and Franco has one-upped that expectation by scoring points.
How much money has Franco earned Williams?
Franco's success in motorsports isn't just defined by his elevation to Formula 1 but tremendous support from partners and investors. Franco himself did not come with money for his Williams seat and there were no guarantees that his F2 sponsors would convert to Williams for just a handful of races. BUT - hand in hand with tremendous Argentinian fan support - the brands showed up for Colapinto and Williams.
- Globant -Joined as a Williams Sponsor
A global technology company, founded in 2003 in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Globant has been a GLOBAL sponsor of Formula 1 since the start of the 2024 Season. They have never sponsored a single driver or entire F1 team until Franco's entry into Formula 1.
- Mercado Libre - Joined as a Williams Sponsor including livery sponsorships
Mercado Libre is the Amazon of South America. They currently sponsor Williams Racing and ran a special livery with the team for the Mexico and Brazil Grand Prix's. They often work with Sergio "Checo" Perez as well.
- BZRP - Has attended a number of Colapinto's F1 races as a friend and advisor
BZRP or the short form of Bizzarap is an EXTREMELY successful musician from Argentina. He has financially supported Franco's career for many years and moved that support to Williams - even attending the past 3 races in Texas, Mexico, and Brazil.
- Other Smaller Argentinian Companies - Lended financial resources to Williams
YPF (infrastructure tech), BigBox (meal subscription), Quilmes (drink brand), Ripio (finance services), GMC Securities (finance services), Celulosa Argentina (forestry and environment), and many more companies have either continued their sponsorship of Franco through to F1 or have joined Williams as a sponsor of the team altogether.
While many young drivers who enter Formula 1, enter with some level of financial support - Colapinto's ability to convert these sponsors to team sponsors with not even half of the season to go is genuinely unprecedented. It is so important to note that similarly to Esteban Ocon, Colapinto does not come from a background of wealth - with the familial ability to support his own seat financially. His presence and popularity in Latin American countries is of UPMOST importance to him in order to be able to fund his journey, not only in Formula 1, but the road TO the seat.
This isn't an issue for Franco, though, as he has showcased not only his talent, but his supreme marketability over these past 6 races..... impacting self included.... I may have 2 of his Forbes covers on my desk. Name one fan who dislikes Franco Colapinto, right now.... I'll wait.
Is Franco comparable to Messi?
We don't need facts and stats to justify the statement that Argentine fans are supremely dedicated to any stars that fly the Argentinian flag. Franco Colapinto's immediate popularity and success is undoubtedly a testament to that statement with many Argentinian journalists and global publications comparing his rise in one of the most global sports in the world to that of Lionel Messi's in soccer (football) in recent years.
“It’s exciting for Argentines to have a driver, and for him to have done it the way he did: the crowd in Monza with the flags, the fans going wild… I congratulate him. We’re proud to have a Formula 1 driver in the top category,” said Argentina national team coach Lionel Scaloni.
Argentina is a country that is traditionally a proud and beautiful nation, but one without monetary resources to support drivers and athletes alike into top categories of their respective sports. In other words, it takes an extreme amount of talent combined with a high level of marketability to 'make it'. For both Franco and Messi, this reigns true.
Although Franco will never admit it, he has become a symbol of the country very quickly. Now is he at the level of Messi? No. But COULD HE BE? Definitely, at least if the fans have anything to say about it.
The fandom of Argentine fans for Franco Colapinto was self-evident online. I can even attest that the few videos I have posted about him on my personal TikTok Platform have gone extremely viral with comments including those calling me "La reina" (the queen) and the like - simply for saying nice things about Franco. This fan power was quantified this past weekend in Brazil, though.
"At least 10,000 Argentines have come to Sao Paulo, according to estimates by tourism agencies. That is one sixth of those expected to attend the Interlagos track this weekend".
Not to mention that flights from Buenos Aires to Sao Paulo completely sold out for this weekend, as well. I can also confirm that at the Mexico City Grand Prix, the cheers for home heros Sergio (Checo) Perez and Pato O'Ward (FP1 appearance) were equally matched by those cheering for Franco Colapinto.
Franco's impact on Formula 1
It was the news blast heard around the world: Franco Colapinto to replace Logan Sargeant at Williams Racing, effective immediately. Just about a week or two before the Italian Grand Prix at Monza, the only American on the grid was replaced with the only Argentinian on the grid.
Since then, here is Franco's record:
The performance of Colapinto speaks for itself thus far - save the DNF in Brazil (we won't talk about that race...). He has outperformed his seasoned teammate Alex Albon on a number of occasions, already. Not to say that Alex Albon has been anything less than unlucky.
For a rookie, with little to no experience in a Formula 1 car to score points in his 2nd race and compete near the points every race ALSO speaks for itself. BUT what really shows to me that Franco is making REAL LASTING waves in Formula 1 are these quotes:
“Franco shows remarkable control and pace for a newcomer. He’s definitely one to watch." - Max Verstappen
“For this guy here, he didn’t have that [referring to Kimi Antonelli's practice in an F1 car]. He just jumped straight in and did a fantastic job, and it was really great to see young people and young talented individuals to get the opportunity to come through and shine. I think he did that in the first race. We had a great little battle. It was super safe, it was hard but fair. I think he’s earned his right to be here. There still is a seat available and he’s saying it’s not for him to decide, but my advice would be to make sure that… I’d be pushing on my side to do absolutely everything. I think that he’s just got to continue to focus on doing his job every weekend as he is. Hopefully he’s got good people behind him who are doing the right job to make sure that he’s here racing next year.” - Lewis Hamilton
When the two most recent world champions say that you're skilled... you're probably skilled.
Beyond the impact that Franco has had on the Williams Team, I'm sure that when end of season talliest are counted - there will be significant increases across the board in streaming of races, merchandise sales, and race attendance that will certainly be noticed by Formula 1 as a whole and Liberty Media - especially in South America.
What's next for Franco?
Every step that Franco has taken throughout the Formula Series have been nothing less than indicative of a long career in Formula 1.
Without diving into the intricacies of the Formula 1 Red Bull contract web... Franco WILL definitely have a seat in Formula 1 in 2025.... and we probably know where.
James Vowles has revealed that he is actively working to secure a seat for Franco (as Carlos Sainz will occupy his seat next year, as it stands).
“The best I can really tell you is we're actively working with teams that are interested to try and find the right arrangement that helps Franco, that protects Franco as well and protects all parties,” said Vowles.
That being said, we have all been privvy to the pictures of Christian Horner in Williams Hospitality with James Vowles during the Brazil Grand Prix. We know that VCARB, as it stands, is the only team that has a technically 'open seat' for the 2025 season. Although Vowles wants to attribute this to a 'new coffee sponsor'... ok, dude, sure.
Do I want Franco to go to the team that has been known to chew rookies up and spit them out *cough cough Alex Albon, Pierre Gasly*? No. But do I think Franco adds too much to the sport to let him leave? Yes.
I'll even go as far as to say - Franco is a perfect substitute for Sergio Perez for Red Bull's organization. Keeping the South American/ Hispanic money and otherworldly dedicated fans in the Red Bull family must be an important factor for Red Bull. This choice could even substantially minimize the fallout of the departure of Sergio Perez that we all know could be coming at the end of this season.
I'll end on this note. Franco Colapinto is here to stay in Formula 1.
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