“I got goosebumps when the kids yelled at me,” he commented almost shyly in front of the Planetarium, when a group of children got off a school bus and cheered him as he passed. It is often assumed from a distance that those participants in the exclusive world of Formula 1 are saturated with experiences that nullify the capacity for wonder. However, there are some situations that shake them and take them off the axis to which they are accustomed.
Franco Colapinto He is the Argentine driver who is closest to competing in Formula 1. A competitor in Formula 2, the previous one of the highest category, a few weeks ago he starred in an official training session at the British Grand Prix, at the legendary circuit of Silverstone, where one of the Williams team’s cars accelerated.
And there was Colapinto, almost like another boy in that group that cheered him. The driver who flirts with Formula 1 accelerated a Ford Cobra Shelby rabid, with the legendary Gulf colors, the ones that made history at Le Mans and on so many tracks around the world. “I can’t believe that those guys greet me with so much fervor, it’s very strong.“Franco told Clarín, who accompanied him in the right seat of the exclusive vehicle.
It was a different day for Colapinto in Buenos Aires. The oil company proposed that he take a tour of the Argentine capital with that vehicle, which snored so loudly that it could not go unnoticed. To the point that on his walk through Palermo, traffic was blocked due to the curiosity and permanent greeting of motorists, who could not believe that the one standing next to him at the traffic light was the Argentine pilot.
The note was very particular. In the midst of those sensations aboard the Ford Cobra, the pilot’s dialogue with Clarín arose spontaneously. “It has been a long time since I spent winter days in Argentina. I went to Europe when I was 14 and my returns are always in the summer,” he recalled.
-What does it feel like when you receive so much love from the public?
-One needs the support of the people. F1 is very political. And when you see that on a distant circuit there is an Argentine flag hanging, or with your name on it, it fills you with energy. And to live so much love here is incredible.
-Times change, I imagine that through social networks all this is constantly seen.
-It’s true. We Argentines are very passionate, in all sports. My rivals look at me because they don’t have even a quarter of the reactions that I get on the networks, and that’s because we Argentinians are very sanguine. I guess they are jealous, but they don’t tell me anything.
-But now you got into a Formula 1. There I suppose there was a break.
-Yes, it was noticed. I dreamed of getting to F1. Having already achieved it at this age, it begins to mean that the rest are objectives that are just around the corner. The opportunity that Williams gave me is unique, in his house and me being Argentine, it is historic. Luckily I was able to enjoy it. I left other things aside and enjoyed it.
-And now, what’s coming?
-The next step is F2. It’s my job. I know that if I do things right, the rest will come.
-We are talking about everything you experienced, Formula 1, achievements in other categories. What is the hardest part of your activity?
-Everything happens here. But I’m far from home. It’s very hard when things don’t work out for you, due to dropping out or a bad race, and returning home and there being no one there. The physical level is very important, because a Formula 1 car demands tremendously from you. For the mental and psychological aspect it is essential. If you are not strong from there, the rest does not advance.
-And how do you work on that?
-I put it hard. I am clear about what my objective is. And I know that I must give everything for it. A concrete example of how the head works is Max Verstappen (world champion with Red Bull). He gets out of the car almost without breaking a sweat, and he doesn’t train. There is no one with a mentality like his, he is very strong. You have to have a cool head.
Colapinto He repeats all the time that it is one of the best days he spent in Argentina. The public’s affection is truly felt at every meter. And also enjoy the vehicle. “I can’t wait to speed up this bug, for God’s sake! We should go to the road course“, he jokes in the middle of Figueroa Alcorta Avenue, where the overwhelming snore of the engine seems to echo. However, he “combs” the accelerator so that the Cobra slides slowly on public roads.
-Are there many pressures in Formula 1 or Formula 2?
-There are different pressures. Many years ago I didn’t know if I was going to run the following weekend, because I didn’t have a budget. That’s real pressure. Today I know that I am in Williams, that I am in F2, it is an enormous pride more than a pressure. I enjoy it very much. I was very happy with that test at Silverstone, not only because it went very well, but because I enjoyed every minute of it. You never know when it will happen again.
-What is your plan for 2025?
-My plan for 2025 is to win F2. But you have to ask my managers what will happen. There is an issue of needs, budgets, etc. For example, now Carlos Sainz has arrived at the Williams team. I like that. “Carlos Sainz and Alex are two great drivers and will take Williams to the place that it deserves to return to. It’s a long process. And I hope that when I arrive I will be in a position to be competitive. But now I must concentrate on fighting for the Formula 2 crown from the first race. This year I had the first three adaptation races and I missed the train of fighting for the title there.
-What was going through your head when you got into the Williams?
-Many things go through your head when you get into a Formula 1. A lot of sacrifice, many good and bad moments that are left behind and that allowed you to get there. The dream is coming true, and that is the best.
-What is your relationship with the Formula 1 drivers?
-Actually, they are pilots that I admire. They are my idols. There are Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso, for example. But I also have to lose respect for them, because if I share a circuit with them, I have to try to beat them.
-What is working with Formula 1 simulators like?
-The simulator consists of driving a lot. I can’t talk much because it’s confidential. Because the teams invest a lot of money in that instrument. A lot of work is done on it. The simulator helps a lot. It’s the same as real life. For example, there we take the set up for a circuit and there we go to the track. At Silverstone we started with that set up, for example. Many types of wind are tested, which greatly influence the performance of the car. All of that is trained. And if you crash, it’s free (laughs). An F1 steering wheel has many options. You have to learn all of that. You drive at 350 km/h and on the radio they ask you to change the car’s settings. They give us 8 hours per day for the simulator. We cut a break at noon to have lunch. We didn’t get off, just to analyze the data, but nothing more. I love doing all this, but it’s a lot of hours staring at screens and studying data.
-Let’s imagine that tomorrow Williams calls you and tells you that for whatever reason, you have to race on the next date. Are you ready?
-I am more than ready to get into Formula 1. When I got into the Williams in Silverstone, it was complex because it is a very difficult circuit. With complex curves, many changes of direction, a lot of G force. However, I think I went very well. I work a lot in the simulator. But I know that I am ready and that when it happens, I am ready to get on.
-Is there a limit to get into Formula 1?
-I don’t have a limit to reach F1. I want to arrive as soon as possible. Opportunities must be taken advantage of, such as the one that recently occurred for practice. Today there are 40-year-old drivers, like Hamilton and Alonso, who are super competitive.
End of the tour. The Ford Cobra parks in the Costa Salguero complex. Some boys and girls run behind the car, trying to get a photo or an autograph with Colapinto. Franco thanks each one and really enjoys it all. He says goodbye to the sports car as if it were a person, and respectfully greets a companion who, like the driver, lived an unforgettable day aboard a unique car and the driving of someone who dreams of realizing the old desire of competing in the highest category of international motorsports