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How does Colapinto's personality make him stand out in F1?
After the Dutch GP, James Vowles made the call: At the time F2 driver Franco Colapinto was about to replace Logan Sargeant. During his first three Grands Prix, the Argentinian could burst onto the scene, getting praise from all over the paddock. Team principal Vowles also shared what makes the youngster stand out in the paddock, and where his future lies at the moment.
Colapinto drives without pressure
From Day 1 after his promotion, Colapinto's personality could shine through the TV screens, not only his driving. At his second ever Grand Prix in Baku, he could already make it through to Q3 and finish in the points a day later.
"There is a reason why we put him in the car. It was based off a decision actually made much earlier to put him in the car (in FP1) at Silverstone, and based on the fact he, the right word, is he shone," his team principal, James Vowles told BBC 5 Live.
What makes the driver stand out? Since he entered the most well-known competition in the world, Colapinto struggles to feel the pressure that comes with that. During the autumn break, he posted about having to take part in media training, saying that 'he only drives cars'. After he decided to race against Max Verstappen in a free practice session in Singapore, he commented on the video joking about the penalty the Dutchman received for swearing at FIA's press conference.
"And his attitude. Speak to him in the car and he's talking like you and I are talking now. There is zero pressure of the world on his shoulders," Vowles also said about the young driver.
Vowles on Colapinto's future
By the time Colapinto replaced Sargeant, it was already announced that Carlos Sainz will become Alex Albon's teammate at Williams in the 2025 season. Vowles underlined they have a plan ready for the Argentinian, if he remains at the team. "What I can say is should he not get a drive, he'll be kept very close to us, run in our historic car, keep him up to speed. We'll have the best reserve driver on the grid while we build him into a situation for the future," the Briton concluded.
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