Young Formula 1 driver, Franco Colapinto, had a taste of luxury and generosity when he received an unexpected invitation from none other than Lewis Hamilton to join him on his private jet back to England. This surprising gesture came after a challenging weekend at the Spanish Grand Prix, where Colapinto finished in 15th place.
The Argentinian driver, who recently joined Alpine, found himself down on his luck after the race, facing a mundane journey back to London on an EasyJet flight. However, his fortunes took a dramatic turn when Hamilton extended a personal invite via a WhatsApp message to join him on his private aircraft.
Colapinto, still in awe of the experience, described the flight as “very special” and “unique.” For a young driver like him, who idolized Hamilton and the legendary Ayrton Senna growing up, this was a dream come true. Flying privately for the first time, Colapinto cherished the opportunity to chat with Hamilton and learn from the seasoned professional.
Hamilton, known for his lavish lifestyle but also his environmental consciousness, used to own a Bombardier Challenger 605 before selling it in 2019. For Colapinto, this impromptu journey with the seven-time world champion must have been nothing short of extraordinary.
Despite the struggles of Alpine in the current season, Colapinto has shown promise, with his 13th place finish in Canada being one of his best performances since joining the team. Looking ahead to the Austrian Grand Prix, the young driver remains optimistic about his prospects, feeling more comfortable and connected with his car.
As Colapinto continues to make his mark in the world of Formula 1, this unexpected encounter with Hamilton serves as a reminder of the camaraderie and respect that exists among competitors in the sport. Fans will be eager to see how this experience propels Colapinto forward in his racing career and whether it brings him closer to his childhood heroes on the track.