Colapinto “ready to jump in” for debut weekend at Monza

Franco Colapinto’s “complete rollercoaster” week is just getting started, with the newest Formula 1 recruit “ready to jump in” for his F1 debut at the iconic Autodromo Nazionale Monza this weekend.

Alerted of his promotion only days ago, a huge task now lies ahead for Logan Sargeant’s mid-season replacement. 

“It was a complete rollercoaster, I think Disney doesn’t even have a rollercoaster close to how [this one was],” Colapinto said.

“No, it was insane, to be honest.

“I was also on Monday at MP [Motorsport] doing the preparation for the F2 race, I’d done sim there all day and then I had to fly in the evening to England to be in the factory with Williams – it was already planned for many months ago.

“And there was where I realised I had a meeting with James [Vowles], with Sven [Smeets]… they have been super supportive, not only today and not only here giving me a chance and an amazing opportunity that I dreamt about years ago, also with the Silverstone Free Practice 1.”

“So yeah, I am just super grateful, super grateful to the team, really supportive.”

Championing in Formula 3 and sitting in sixth place in the F2 standings before receiving the call-up, Colapinto will have just nine races to prove himself in Formula 1 before Carlos Sainz steps into his seat for 2025… and it all starts tonight.

“We’ve got many targets, of course, we are going to go step by step,” Colapinto said.

“What the team wants is to build my confidence slowly, and then of course arrive to the important moment of the weekend with a bit more [of a] chance to be quick enough.

“I’m going to try to give it my all, of course, I know what the team is expecting and I know their targets, what their goal is, and I’m going to try to achieve that together.

“I’m going to, as I said, give my all to make them proud.

“Of course, that was a very tough decision, I understand, and I am extremely grateful for this opportunity, it’s something I dreamt about since I was a little kid.”

The news came at such late notice that the event organisers at the Autodromo Nazionale Monza had even put up Logan Sargeant’s garage banner in the pitlane, before misspelling Colapinto’s graphic on the next attempt. 

The garage of Franco Colapinto, Williams FW46 during the Italian GP. Image: Simon Galloway / LAT Images.

Now sporting the correct name, picture and race number, Williams is ready to let its latest addition shine, and the new #43 is not ruling out a points finish. 

“I don’t think [scoring points] is unrealistic,” Colapinto said.

“I want to start to drive the car and then put some expectations in it.

“I don’t have much information about what is going to happen during the race, this and all that, because I haven’t even done a long-run in this car.

“Silverstone was very short, luckily I got some experience there, but yeah, I can’t wait to jump in the car.

“I think the race is a great opportunity to be starting to work with the team better, to get a lot of confidence in the car, and I think that’s what I’m looking forward [to].

“Points or no points, I don’t really know.

“I’m focusing on myself, trying to, as I said before, go slowly and try to make this process as safe and as quick as I can.”

Experienced in scoring points in a Williams, Colapinto’s teammate Alex Albon and predecessor Sargeant have both given him some words of advice in the lead-up to this weekend, with members of the team also playing a huge part in readying the 21-year-old.

“Alex, Logan as well – in Silverstone, he was super supportive, the whole team has told me many tips.

“The cars are very different to the Formula 2 car so that process and that learning process has to be quite quick.

“I’ve got loads of conversations, there is so many, so many, so many details in Formula 1 and I’ve been going through all the little bits with engineers as well so I am, I think, ready to jump in now and do my first race weekend.”

The Italian Grand Prix won’t be Colapinto’s first taste of F1 machinery, however, with the Argentinian making his FP1 debut earlier in the season.

Fulfilling the then-duties of a Williams Driver Academy Member, Colapinto foreshadowed this week’s decision as he took over Logan Sargeant’s FW46 for the one hour of practice, a session that could prove pivotal for his confidence and success in Italy.

“In their home race to give me a chance of driver in Formula 1, in Free Practice, it was an amazing experience, I think it also prepared me a little bit more for this chance,” Colapinto said.

“Of course, Silverstone was very short, I only did a couple of laps in FP but it went very well so, I am looking forward to this chance.

“So yeah, I’m just super, super happy to be here today, and in Monza.

“It’s a special track, I think one of the most historic tracks on the calendar, it’s a race that everyone is expecting to race in and, you know, the Tifosi are insane so, I am super happy to do my debut here.”

But with just three hours of practice ahead of the first competitive session of Colapinto’s F1 career, FP1, FP2 and FP3 will all be about building the rookie’s confidence. 

Colapinto will rack up his first true miles as an F1 driver tonight, with the first practice session at the sizzling circuit in Monza starting at 9:30 PM.

Image: Sam Bagnall / LAT Images

2024 Italian Grand Prix Schedule:

Friday, August 30th:

FP1: 21:30 – 22:30

Saturday, August 31st:

FP2: 01:00 – 02:00

FP3: 20:30 – 21:30

Sunday, September 1st:

Qualifying: 00:00 – 01:00

Race: 23:00

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