Colapinto wants to follow in Fangio's footsteps: 'Proud of Argentine support'

Argentina produced some absolute world-class Formula 1 drivers. Juan Manuel Fangio is by far the best known, but José Froilán González and Carlos Reutemann have also driven themselves into the history books. In recent decades, things have gone quiet in terms of Argentine Formula 1 drivers. Franco Colapinto (20) may be about to change that. The youngster will next season compete with Dutch MP Motorsport in Formula 2, the most important step-up class to F1.

Anyone talking to Colapinto immediately notices his humility and charisma. When, during an exclusive interview with GPblog is submitted that an entire nation hopes the youngster manages to make the step to F1, he responds, "That is something very beautiful. Honestly, the support of so many people from my country obviously fills me with a lot of pride and is something unique for a driver."

"To get such great support from a country, from your own country, is something very special. And also the fact that the Argentines (a movement on social media, #FranColapinntoAF2) helped me in being able to get my contract in F1 is extra nice. I think everyone feels that there is a special project going on."

Colapinto sees dream come true

Colapinto made his F2 debut at the 2023 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix weekend. He calls it "an honour" to be part of the current grid and explains how he looks forward to his first year in the category: "I dreamed of racing in F2 this year and now I get the chance to do something I have been looking forward to for so long. I am preparing very well physically. Obviously [the F2 car] is a much more physical car than the F3, and in that respect I'm doing very well, mentally as well."

The driver line-up in Formula 2 is probably the strongest in recent years, including Colapinto himself, Oliver Bearman, Kimi Antonelli, Zak O'Sullivan, Victor Martins, reigning F3 champion Gabriel Bortoleto and Red Bull junior Pepe Marti. They will compete until the final race in Abu Dhabi next December.

Colapinto wants to be the best always and everywhere

The Argentine driver approaches his challenge pragmatically, although there is also the rock-solid confidence that every born driver has. "It doesn't matter who I race against. I am very competitive, in all categories I already was. I race against those I raced against in F3 two years ago, against those I raced against in Formula Renault. They are always more or less the same people. There's a very high level in Formula 2, it's new cars, but I'm looking forward to the start of the year."

Colapinto is part of the Williams Academy. The English F1 team has high expectations of the Argentinian, who must perform immediately. When talking about those expectations and the potential pressure it brings, Colapinto's maturity comes through. "I always want to win, that's why I race and that's what I want to do this year. I'm going to give everything to get the best possible result."

"I think of course it will be difficult to win in the first year from drivers like Martins and others who have a lot of experience. But I think I can get very good results. The team [MP Motorsport] is doing very well. I am happy to be here today and to have this great opportunity. I will give everything to get good results in F2 this year."

Following in the footsteps of illustrious Argentinians?

In his homeland Argentina, the main classes in motorsport are closely followed. But there, the Turismo Carretera class, a series in which, for example, the aforementioned Fangio, Juan María Traverso and current IndyCar driver Agustín Canapino once competed, is also particularly popular. Perhaps a class in which Colapinto could eventually be seen too? "It is a very popular class and I would love to have the chance to race in it at some point, many years from now. To feel all that warmth and energy from the crowd, that would be something very beautiful."