In only his second Formula 1 race, rookie Franco Colapinto made a bold statement at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, scoring his first points with an impressive eighth-place finish. Drafted in to replace Logan Sargeant at Williams, the 21-year-old Argentine is already making waves, justifying the high-risk decision made by team principal James Vowles.
Colapinto’s journey to his maiden points wasn’t without challenges. His weekend in Baku began with a crash in FP1, forcing him to miss valuable track time in FP2 while repairs were carried out. However, the rookie displayed remarkable resilience, bouncing back to qualify ninth, marking a double Q3 appearance for Williams alongside teammate Alex Albon.
Racing on a notoriously tricky street circuit he’d never driven before, Colapinto remained composed throughout the 51-lap race. His eighth-place finish was just behind Albon, proving his capability in the pressure-filled environment of Formula 1. The result not only earned Williams crucial points but also moved the team ahead of Alpine and into eighth place in the constructors’ standings.
“I think they showed so much confidence and trust in putting me in the seat,” Colapinto said. “It was a very difficult bet, and a bet that many didn’t understand. I hope I’m showing what I’m capable of. The opportunity that James gave me is helping me to show that.”
Despite his inexperience in F1 machinery—having only raced two grands prix and a single practice session before Baku—Colapinto’s learning curve has been steep. His performance underlined the value he brings to Williams as they chase every possible point in a tight constructors’ battle, where each position could be worth millions in prize money.
“It’s a great result for the team,” Colapinto said. “Both cars in the points, P8 in the constructors’ championship, both cars in the top eight. It’s something unexpected and amazing for the team, for Williams. They really deserve it. I’m just very happy—very happy for what we achieved together.”
Williams employed an ambitious strategy for Colapinto, opting for an early pit stop that required him to manage his tires for a grueling 41-lap stint. While he successfully brought the car home, the long stint highlighted the rookie’s ongoing adaptation to tire management and the physical demands of F1.
“I think we did manage very well, but we managed them too much,” he admitted. “I didn’t really know what was happening and why my front tire was graining like that. It’s something I found out very late in the race, and I think knowing that maybe could’ve attacked Fernando [Alonso] a bit more — it’s all part of the process and part of the learning.”
As the season moves into its final stretch, Colapinto’s focus remains on improving both his physical conditioning and his race craft, particularly with challenging circuits like Singapore on the horizon. The young driver is confident that with continued hard work, the results will keep coming.
“We need to keep working on the physical aspect,” he said. “There are tough races coming now. This one was tough because between walls, you need to keep the focus constantly all the time and be real on it. I guess Singapore will be very, very hard, but I felt great today—I felt much better than Monza.”
With a promising start to his F1 career, Franco Colapinto is proving that he’s not just filling a seat—he’s racing to keep it.
