MONZA.- Rookie Franco Colapinto had no choice but to laugh at the comparisons with Lionel Messi as he prepares to become the first Argentine to compete in the Formula 1 in 23 years.
After firing American Logan Sargeant, the British team Williams decided to promote Colapinto, 21, for the rest of the season. His first chapter will be this weekend at the Italian Grand Prix at the Monza circuit.
Colapinto, sixth in the F2 standings, will be the first Argentine driver in F1 since Gaston Mazzacane in 2001, sparking euphoria in his home country to the point that some have compared him to soccer superstar Messi.
“It’s very difficult to feel like Messi. In fact, I don’t know what it’s like to feel like that,” Colapinto said. “Sometimes I see people comparing me and I think it’s crazy. Messi is a God, how can they compare me?”
Colapinto was preparing to compete in an F2 race this weekend at Monza and only learned on Monday that he was going to make the biggest step forward of his career so far.
He has only had one practice session with Williams, at the British Grand Prix last month, doing so in Sargeant’s car. The Argentine said that the hours he has logged in the simulator and his talks with the engineers will help him in his learning curve.
“It’s an opportunity that I was always ready for and that I’ve been waiting for for a long time,” Colapinto said. “Since I was a kid, I’ve always dreamed of what’s happening and having the opportunity to be here and talk to all of you is a pleasure.”
“I’m very grateful to Williams for this opportunity, which came very late, but I’m always ready, I didn’t expect it, to be honest,” he added.
The important thing is now
Something that should benefit Colapinto is that he won’t have to deal with too much pressure.
Whatever happens in the last nine races, he knows he won’t be part of the team next year. Carlos Sainz Jr. will leave Ferrari for Williams to partner Alex Albon in 2025.
“I think my main focus is on myself, trying to do the best I can… and trying to learn as quickly as possible,” Colapinto said.
“I just want to take it step by step, race by race, corner by corner. I have no idea about next year. This is something sensational for me.”
