In tears, the father of the first Argentine driver to race in Formula 1 since 2001, said that “It is very strong because one knows what it cost to get there.more for a South American and an Argentine.”
In a radio interview, he explained the process leading up to the decision that Franco would race for Williams for the remainder of the season: “On Saturday, some of the possible situations were being discussed between the drivers who could replace Logan (Sargeant). There was Franco, but there were other important drivers too.“.
Franco Colapinto’s journey to Formula 1
In this way, he recounted the process that led him to become a Formula 1 driver and stressed that his son had to go through great sacrifices and challenges throughout his sporting career. Franco’s dream of becoming a driver began at a very young age, influenced by his father, who bought him his first quad bike at the age of four. “It started from a very young age, Partly my fault, because when he was four I bought him his first quad bike and then he started karting.“, he said on Radio Rivadavia.
With a growing passion for motorsport, at the age of 14, he took a risky leap when He moved alone to Italy to join a karting chassis factory: “A difficult medium play, because He had to stay aloneto live in an apartment above the karting factory in Italy, without knowing the language, without knowing anything“.
It was then that Aníbal offered his son the chance to return in case the situation was more difficult than expected, although Franco refused and decided to stay in Europe. This was the first great challenge of his career, a test of character that prepared him for future challenges, where he continued his promotion to higher categories of motor racing.
The father continued telling that after a year of running, andHe started a test in Formula 4where he went to live at his mechanic’s house and managed to become champion: “He went to Spain, to the house of Emi Rodriguezthe Romina woman, that Emi was his mechanic. I was 15 years old, Franco and there we become champion, Formula 4“.
As you move up the category, expenses were increasing, so Aníbal had to tell Franco that some investor from Europe should appear because he could not help him much more.since no support was coming from Argentina.
Fortunately, he appeared just in time. Bullet, which remains to this day as one of the representatives of Franc. From there they began to move up in category: “We began to move up in category, ran to New Zealandthen he returned to Europe, in Formula Renault, in Formula Alpina, he was doing better and better, and well, there were people who gave us a big hand.”
Aníbal mentioned the crucial financial support that Franco received, especially from the company Globant, which allowed his son to continue competing internationally.
Finally, Aníbal Colapinto told an anecdote about his son, after being asked who his idol was: “Since he was little, I remember that at school, in the library, one day they gave him a book, which he wanted to take, but they didn’t let him because he had to read it at school. Andrea, who is his mother, told me to talk to Franco, because they told me that he doesn’t go out to recess. Later I found out that he didn’t go out to recess, because He stayed reading the book that was Fangio’s storyI’m dying, It gives me chills“, hill.
“When I was 10, I read a book about Fangio and today he’s going to be an Argentine driver in Formula 1. Amazing, amazing.”
Historic: Franco Colapinto will race in Formula 1 for Williams
The Argentine pilot Franco Colapinto will compete in the Formula 1 the remainder of the season, according to the team’s details Williams. That is, the native of Pillar will contest the remaining 9 races.
The Argentine, who is sixth in the championship, Formula 2will take the place of the American Logan Sargeant.
This way, Colapinto He will become the first Argentine to race in Formula 1 since i did it Gaston Mazzacane 23 years ago.
Source: Ambito
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