Williams give FP1 chance to Academy driver Franco Colapinto

Formula 2 rookie Franco Colapinto will participate in Formula 1 free practice 1 for Williams at this weekend's British Grand Prix on Friday.

Colapinto, who is from Argentina, will become the first driver from the nation to participate in a Formula One weekend since Gaston Mazzacane for Minardi.

The 21-year old is in his rookie season of Formula 2 and is part of the Williams Academy. They will give him a chance to showcase what he can do in front of the British car as he will take Logan Sargeant's place in FP1 at Silverstone.

This was announced by the Williams F1 Team on Monday afternoon in the lead up to their home Grand Prix weekend at the infamous Silverstone circuit.

Speaking to the Williams media team, on being given the chance, Colapinto said: "I have so many emotions,.I am extremely delighted and it’s a very important moment in my life and my career.“I will be the most prepared I can; I will be doing a lot of laps in the simulator and studying the details needed to drive this year’s car.

He continued: "To be able to drive it at a track like Silverstone is a privilege, it is one of my favourite tracks and to drive it at the team’s home race means a lot.
“To all the Argentine fans – I hope you enjoy FP1 as much as I’m going to! It’s an important moment for our country and I’m so grateful for all the support I’ve been given. I’m going to give my all to make you proud!”
Colapinto is in his rookie season of Formula 2 with Dutch team MP Motorsport and his teammate being former Red Bull junior Dennis Hauger. Prior to this year, he had spent two full seasons in FIA Formula 3.

In 2022 and 2023 he spent a full in season racing in the Formula 3 category with different teams.

His first season was with another Dutch team in Van Amersfoort Racing where we would pick up two wins with both coming in Italy - in the Imola and Monza round sprint races. He would finish ninth overall.

In 2023 with MP Motorsport, Colapinto would have a much stronger season as he finished fourth in the standings with another two wins to his name coming at Silverstone and again at Monza.

For 2024, he would continue to drive for MP Motorsport but this time in FIA Formula 2. In his rookie season, he has impressed so far, in the first half of the campaign.

After the first seven rounds, he has picked up three podiums, all coming in the last four rounds. His maiden win came in the Imola sprint race, with two second place finishes in the last two feature races at Spain and most recently in Austria.

Colapinto currently sits fifth in the Formula 2 standings, 42 points why of Paul Aron who currently leads the championship. With 14 races to go there could be a situation where he wins the Formula 2 title. It would take impeccable form for him to do so though.

Sporting director Sven Smeets, speaking to Williams via their media, said: "Franco has had a very encouraging start to his debut season in F2 and we are delighted to reward his performances over the past two years with his first FP1 session.
“We are proud of our talented group of drivers in the Williams Racing Driver Academy and it is important for us to give them the opportunity to progress and have these important chances as they move up the ladder."

This will be a big chance for Colapinto, taking part in a Formula 1 weekend for the first time as the Williams seat is available for 2025 with Sargeant out of contract. If he has a clean session and impresses Williams, he could be a potential driver to partner Alex Albon next season.

It is unlikely but if he continues in the same form in Formula 2 and shows what he can do in the Formula 1 car, then you never know what might happen in this sport. It seems the heart is set on Bottas, Sainz or Antonelli for James Vowles and his team but who knows what might happen if Colapinto performs.

He will take to the Silverstone Circuit for free practice 1 on Friday for Williams' home Grand Prix weekend.

Brandon Whiteside
Writer - F1 Journal