Franco Colapinto described his chance to become the first Argentine in nearly two decades to drive a Formula 1 car in a race weekend session as a “mega opportunity”.
The 21-year-old will drive for Williams in British Grand Prix first practice and has received the chance as part of his role as a Williams Driver Academy racer. It comes off the back of a superb run of form in feeder series F2 where he has won one race and scored two second places in the last four rounds to sit fifth in the standings.
“It will be a very special moment,” he told F1.com. “For any racing driver, it’s something you are hoping for – to have your first FP1. To get this opportunity and this trust from Williams – they have been so supportive last year – I’m extremely happy, and very proud.
“It’s a mega opportunity. I’m excited. I know it is short, only one hour [of running] but Silverstone is the nicest track to drive an F1 car with all these high-speed corners. I’m really looking forward to it and will try to do a good job.
Silverstone is a track where Colapinto has fond memories of having won there in F3 last year and he will be in the simulator at Williams HQ in Grove this week to finetune his preparations before taking over Logan Sargeant’s car for the first session of the weekend.
He’ll be super busy on Friday, kicking off the day with practice in F2. There’s just one hour and 45 minutes before he gets out again, this time in the Williams for FP1, before jumping out and rushing back to the F2 paddock to prepare for qualifying one hour and 35 minutes later.
“It’ll be nice to feel how the car is versus a F2 car straight away,” he says. “It’s going to be a nice challenge – and an amazing opportunity.”
Be the first to comment