AutoGear
  • Latest News
  • AutoGear TV
  • Sustainable Mobility
  • Motorsports
    • Circuits
    • Rally
    • Rally raid
    • WEC
  • English
    • Português
    • Italiano
    • Français
    • Español
    • English
    • Deutsch
    • 日本語
  • STANDINGS
No Result
View All Result
AutoGear
  • Latest News
  • AutoGear TV
  • Sustainable Mobility
  • Motorsports
    • Circuits
    • Rally
    • Rally raid
    • WEC
  • English
    • Português
    • Italiano
    • Français
    • Español
    • English
    • Deutsch
    • 日本語
  • STANDINGS
No Result
View All Result
AutoGear

Exclusive: Colapinto achieves a lifelong goal by joining the F1 team Williams.

Carl Smith by Carl Smith
January 9, 2025
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 3 mins read
0
Exclusive: Colapinto achieves a lifelong goal by joining the F1 team Williams.

Williams Racing FW46 Academy Driver Franco Colapinto (ARG), F2 Formula 1 World Championship, Season Launch Studio Shoot, 5th February 2024, Grove, Wantage, England

Williams Racing unveils FW46 Academy Driver

Franco Colapinto, F2

The Formula 1 World Championship Season Launch Studio Shoot took place on 5th February 2024 in Grove, Wantage, England. Williams Racing Formula 1 Team introduced their new car, the FW46, during the event. Among those present was Academy Driver Franco Colapinto.

At the young age of 20, Colapinto had a busy schedule in Abu Dhabi last November. After a successful Formula 3 career that concluded with a remarkable Sprint victory at Monza earlier in the year, he made his debut in Formula 2 with MP Motorsport at the Yas Marina Circuit.

Following his F2 debut and the conclusion of the season, Colapinto had the opportunity to test the FW45. This experience allowed him to follow in the footsteps of the legendary Argentine driver Carlos Reutemann, who also drove for Williams F1. Colapinto described the feeling of getting behind the wheel as “unbelievable.”

“It’s a completely different sensation compared to anything else,” expressed Colapinto. “Unfortunately, Formula 2 is quite distant from Formula 1, as is Formula 3. They don’t really prepare you adequately for what it’s like to drive a Formula 1 car.”

“I believe I did a commendable job in terms of preparation because jumping straight into a Formula 1 car for the first time ever, in Abu Dhabi, surrounded by people who have driven that car during the weekend or have tested a F1 car before, was always going to be extremely challenging. Nevertheless, I performed well in Abu Dhabi, so it was a fantastic day for me.”

“It was a dream come true from the moment I left the garage. The feeling was indescribable.”

“The engineers provide you with some insight into what it’s like and how it feels to drive the car, as well as the physical demands it imposes. However, you can’t truly comprehend it until you actually experience it firsthand.”

“The sensations and emotions you experience while driving the fastest car in the world are simply unbelievable.”

“I enjoyed every single lap, every single corner. I truly savored the experience.”

“When I returned to the garage for the first time after the outing, I thought to myself, ‘Wow, I’m here. I’m driving a Formula One car. I’ve made it.'”

“I was incredibly happy and tried to cherish every moment because you never know when it will happen again, of course.”

“Once you reach that point and achieve the dream you had as a young child, it no longer feels like a dream. It becomes a goal, something you strive for as you see it getting closer and closer.”

“So yes, it was an extraordinary day. I absolutely loved it.”

Colapinto will compete in the full season of Formula 2 as a newcomer in 2024 with MP Motorsport following a fourth-place finish in the previous year’s F3 standings.

In 2023, his second F3 campaign received support from Williams, as he was welcomed into the Grove-based team’s Driver Academy in January of that year.

Colapinto acknowledges Williams’ unwavering support and expresses his joy in being associated with a team that has such a rich history.

“I have gained invaluable knowledge since joining Williams. Their academy is truly exceptional, providing numerous opportunities for their drivers to develop and succeed.

“They have been incredibly supportive,” Colapinto remarked.

“I feel honored to be a part of Williams, a team that has an impressive legacy in Formula One.

“I am genuinely happy to be a member of the team and extremely grateful for the opportunity they have given me to drive a Formula One car, and for the trust placed in me by James [Vowles] and the entire team.

“The testing experience was truly remarkable, and as I mentioned earlier, it was a dream come true. I am overjoyed to be here and I hope that we can continue this journey together for many more years. Furthermore, I wish them a successful year.

“The car [FW46] looks promising for the 2024 season, and I hope they can make further progress this year.

“It was a fantastic 2023 for them, so let’s hope that both F2 and F1 go well this year.”

Share212Tweet133Send

Related Posts

George Russell’s F1 Nightmare: Regrets and Contract Chaos Amid Mercedes Drama
Motorsports

George Russell’s F1 Nightmare: Regrets and Contract Chaos Amid Mercedes Drama

Formula One F1 - British Grand Prix - Silverstone Circuit, Silverstone, Britain - July 5, 2025 Mercedes' George Russell takes...

by Miguel Cunha
July 9, 2025
Franco Colapinto Facing Alpine Axe After Catastrophic Silverstone Performance
Motorsports

Franco Colapinto Facing Alpine Axe After Catastrophic Silverstone Performance

Formula One F1 - Austrian Grand Prix - Red Bull Ring, Spielberg, Austria - June 29, 2025 Alpine's Franco Colapinto...

by Carl Harrison
July 9, 2025
Antonio Giovinazzi’s Ferrari Odyssey: WEC Ace and F1 Reserve Driver’s Epic Renewal
Motorsports

Antonio Giovinazzi’s Ferrari Odyssey: WEC Ace and F1 Reserve Driver’s Epic Renewal

51 PIER GUIDI Alessandro (ita), CALADO James (gbr), GIOVINAZZI Antonio (ita), Ferrari AF Corse, Ferrari 499P, #51, Hypercar, action during...

by Virgilio Machado
July 8, 2025
Fernando Alonso’s F1 Fury: Aston Martin’s Strategy Sparks Silverstone Scandal
Motorsports

Fernando Alonso’s F1 Fury: Aston Martin’s Strategy Sparks Silverstone Scandal

Formula One F1 - British Grand Prix - Silverstone Circuit, Silverstone, Britain - July 3, 2025 Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso...

by Carl Harrison
July 8, 2025

Recent News

George Russell’s F1 Nightmare: Regrets and Contract Chaos Amid Mercedes Drama

George Russell’s F1 Nightmare: Regrets and Contract Chaos Amid Mercedes Drama

July 9, 2025
Franco Colapinto Facing Alpine Axe After Catastrophic Silverstone Performance

Franco Colapinto Facing Alpine Axe After Catastrophic Silverstone Performance

July 9, 2025
Antonio Giovinazzi’s Ferrari Odyssey: WEC Ace and F1 Reserve Driver’s Epic Renewal

Antonio Giovinazzi’s Ferrari Odyssey: WEC Ace and F1 Reserve Driver’s Epic Renewal

July 8, 2025
Fernando Alonso’s F1 Fury: Aston Martin’s Strategy Sparks Silverstone Scandal

Fernando Alonso’s F1 Fury: Aston Martin’s Strategy Sparks Silverstone Scandal

July 8, 2025

Newsletter

  • PRIVACY POLICY
  • TECHNICAL INFORMATION
  • EDITORIAL STATUS
  • TERMS AND CONDITIONS

© 2023 AutoGear - Todos os direitos reservados AutoGear.

No Result
View All Result
  • Latest News
  • AutoGear TV
  • Sustainable Mobility
  • Motorsports
    • Circuits
    • Rally
    • Rally raid
    • WEC
  • English
    • Português
    • Italiano
    • Français
    • Español
    • English
    • Deutsch
    • 日本語

© 2023 AutoGear - Todos os direitos reservados AutoGear.

Enable Notifications OK No thanks