System 2 racer Franco Colapinto will make his official System 1 apply debut for Williams on the British Grand Prix this weekend, changing Logan Sargeant in FP1.
Williams sporting director Sven Smeets stated the call-up was a “reward” for Colapinto’s promising begin to his F2 rookie season.
The Argentinian 21-year-old, a member of the Williams Racing Driver Academy, at the moment lies fifth with MP Motorsport after taking a maiden dash victory at Imola and runner-up finishes within the function races at Barcelona and the Pink Bull Ring.
“Franco has had a really encouraging begin to his debut season in F2 and we’re delighted to reward his performances over the previous two years along with his first FP1 session,” stated Smeets.
“We’re happy with our gifted group of drivers within the Williams Racing Driver Academy and it’s important for us to provide them the chance to progress and have these essential possibilities as they transfer up the ladder.
“To showcase our expertise at our residence race at Silverstone is a pleasant second and, in fact, that is going to be an awesome day for the Argentine F1 followers.”
Franco Colapinto, Williams Racing Academy
Photograph by: Dutch Photograph Company
Colapinto stepped as much as F2 after two race-winning seasons in System 3, peaking with fourth within the standings final season.
He additionally has expertise in sportscars on a CV that counts an outright European Le Mans Sequence victory in 2021 alongside former Williams F1 racer Nyck de Vries and Roman Rusinov at Paul Ricard.
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He has already had his first expertise of F1 equipment by sampling the staff’s 2023 FW45 on the Abu Dhabi younger driver check.
Williams is at the moment weighing up choices to companion Alexander Albon in 2025, with Sargeant’s future on the staff unsure.
Having expressed a desire for a confirmed F1 race winner, it has held discussions with Esteban Ocon and its former driver Valtteri Bottas as Carlos Sainz continues to weigh up choices that embrace a return to Alpine or to the Sauber squad that may turn into Audi in 2026.
“I’ve so many feelings,” stated Colapinto.
“I’m extraordinarily delighted and it’s an important second in my life and my profession.
“I would be the most ready I can; I will probably be doing loads of laps within the simulator and finding out the small print wanted to drive this 12 months’s automobile.
“I’m actually trying ahead to experiencing the brand new automobile after driving final 12 months’s in Abu Dhabi. To have the ability to drive it at a observe like Silverstone is a privilege, it’s certainly one of my favorite tracks and to drive it on the staff’s residence race means loads.
“To all of the Argentine followers – I hope you take pleasure in FP1 as a lot as I’m going to!
“It’s an essential second for our nation and I’m so grateful for all of the assist I’ve been given. I’m going to provide my all to make you proud!”