Oliver Bearman will not be the only Formula 2 driver at the wheel of a Formula 1 car this weekend at Silverstone. Entering his third session of the year with Haas, the Briton will be joining Franco Colapinto on track, who will be at the wheel of a Williams.
The Argentinian, a member of the Grove team’s young driver academy, is discovering Formula 2 this season. After a learning start to the season, he has just finished second twice in the main races in Barcelona and Austria. Fifth in the championship, he has earned the right to take part in a free practice session at the wheel of a Formula 1 car for the second time.
Already on track at the end of last season in Abu Dhabi alongside his academy colleague Zak O’Sullivan, the Argentinian seems to have taken the lead over the Briton, winner of the Monaco GP a few weeks ago.
“I have so many emotions. I am extremely excited and it is a very important moment in my life and career. I will be as prepared as possible; I will do a lot of laps in the simulator and study the details needed to drive this year’s car. I am really looking forward to experiencing the new car after driving last year in Abu Dhabi.”
“To be able to drive it at a circuit like Silverstone is a privilege, it’s one of my favourite circuits and to drive it at the team’s home race means a lot. To all the Argentinian fans, I hope you enjoy Free Practice 1 as much as I do! It’s a big moment for our country and I’m very grateful for all the support I’ve received.”
Argentina returns to Formula 1 thanks to Colapinto
Franco Colapinto proudly wears the colours of a country steeped in the exploits of Juan Manuel Fangio, five-time world champion in the 1950s. But since then, Argentinian drivers have become rare and the last to have taken the start of a Grand Prix was Gaston Mazzacane in 2001.
Franco Colapinto is not there yet, but his current form in Formula 2 could allow him to believe in the premier category in the years to come.
“Franco has had a very encouraging start to the F2 season and we are delighted to reward his performances over the last two years with his first FP1 session of the year.” assures Sven Smeets, Williams’ sporting director. “We are proud of our talented group of drivers within the Williams Racing Driver Academy and it is important to us that we give them the opportunity to progress and have these important opportunities as they move up the ranks.”
Fifth in Formula 2, Franco Colapinto can still believe in the title even though he is only 42 points behind Paul Aron, the leader.
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In short
Williams has announced that an academy driver will take to the track in Free Practice 1 of the British Grand Prix on Friday morning, driving Logan Sargeant’s FW46.
